Stage II Fire Restrictions begin Friday, May 4th

on May 2, 2018
in Fire Prevention, Fire Regulations, Fire Restrictions, Wildland Urban Interface

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Stage II Fire Restrictions beg...

Prescott National Forest and Local Cooperators Enter

Stage II Fire Restrictions on Friday, May 4^th

PRESCOTT, AZ (May 2, 2018) – Due to increasing fire danger the Prescott National Forest will implement Stage II fire restrictions effective Friday, May 4^th, at 8 a.m. These additional fire restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire.

Stage II fire restrictions prohibit the following:

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or stove fire, including fires in developed campgrounds and improved sites.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations.
Operating any internal combustion engine between the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Chain saws must have an operational spark arresting device.
Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

Exemptions to the restrictions include the following:

Using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle (enclosed RV cabinet) or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.
Operating motorized vehicles in compliance with forest Travel Management regulations.

ri“Despite the recent, short-lived rain event, the conditions across Arizona and especially on the Prescott National Forest continue to worsen. This rain will only have positive impacts measured in days, not weeks. By this weekend, weather is expected to warm quickly and will be dry. Most fire behavior indicators are setting records and the live vegetation is exhibiting signs of drought stress. Elevating the fire restrictions is necessary to decrease the likelihood of unwanted human fires. They don’t prevent a fire caused by someone deliberately ignoring the rules and conditions, nor do they prevent a fire caused by someone who is simply unaware of the conditions. Therefore, we ask everyone to pay attention to activities and conditions that are likely to cause a spark or wildfire”, said Pete Gordon, Fuels, Fire & Aviation Staff Officer.