Apache County Enters Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

Due to extremely high fire risk, effective May 23, 2014 at 8:00 a.m., all unincorporated areas of Apache County will be placed under Stage 2 fire restrictions. Under Stage 2 restrictions, the following prohibitions and exemptions apply:

  • Prohibitions:
    The following acts are prohibited until further notice:
    1. Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, including fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites.
    2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
    3. Outdoor Mechanical and Industrial Prohibitions
    a. Operating any internal combustion engine in the course of mechanical or industrial operations that would produce open flames or sparks.
    b. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
    c. Using an explosive.
    4. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.
    1. Use of any and all fireworks.
    2. Use of explosive targets.
    3. Use of tracer round ammunition.

Exemptions:
1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.

2. Industrial operations where specific operations and exemptions are identified and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.

3. Persons operating internal combustion engines with spark arrestors such as lawnmowers and landscaping equipment in maintained landscaped space.

4. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame in an enclosed or developed area designated for that purpose that is equipped with appropriate fire protection.

5. Persons 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 3 feet of the device.

6. Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.

7. Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails so long as you park in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.

8. Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.

9. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.

10. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

11. All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.

An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

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