The return of monsoonal weather patterns have reduced the fire danger throughout the region. As a result, on Thursday July 11 at 12:01 am the restrictions throughout the region will be lifted. We would like to remind everyone that although fire danger is no longer extreme, it is still high and visitors and citizens should continue to be extremely cautious!

Stage I and II fire restrictions prohibited fires and campfires, smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, discharging of firearms, certain mechanical operations, motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails and in Navajo County the use of fireworks. These activities are no longer under restriction. If there are any doubts or questions please make sure to contact the agency specific to the area.

Taking a few precautions can make all the difference:
* If you are a smoker, be cautious about how and where you extinguish your cigarettes.
* If you are using a portable stove, be careful to set up the stove in an area cleared of fuels and make sure the stove is safe from tipping over.
* Campfires should NEVER be left unattended and should be completely extinguished when leaving your campsite. Remember: “If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave!”
* Do not park or drive vehicles on top of tall dry vegetation, hot vehicle parts may still ignite a fire.
* Remember to look up, down and all around when selecting a campsite. Do NOT set up under dead or dying trees as falling limbs can become hazards, do NOT set up in dry creek beds as they can flood in moments during monsoons, and make sure the area is clear of any other potential hazards.

We welcome our citizens and visitors to enjoy the outdoors and all the activities throughout the region but continue to ask everyone to please be careful!

Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of the 19 members of the Prescott Granite Mountain Hot Shots crew that perished in the Yarnell Hill Fire today. The fire stared Friday and grew from 4 to 2,000 acres today and is located is in Yavapai County approximately 85 miles northwest of Phoenix. Details are still coming in but it appears the firefighters had to deploy their fire shelters and were overcome by the fire. It appears that this fire was started by lightning. This tragedy is now the deadliest fire in the last 30 years in the United States.

Our hearts go out to everyone involved in the Yarnell Hill Fire.

Chris Sexton, Apache County Public Health Director (928) 337-7532
Keli Sine-Shields, Apache County Public Health Asst. Health Director (928) 333-2415 ext. 233
Kerry Pena, Apache County Public Health Emergency Preparedness (928) 333-6430

For immediate release:
Wildfire Smoke Information
The following is some general information regarding the potential health effects of air pollution from wildfire smoke.
Particulate matter is a component of smoke from wildfires.
• Particulate matter is fine particles including soot and ash that can reach deep into the lungs and may contain irritating and toxic compounds.
Some of the symptoms related to exposure to smoke from wildfires include:
• Eye, nose, mouth and/or throat irritation;
• Coughing;
• Trouble breathing;
• Tightness of the chest; and/or
• The onset of symptoms related to pre-existing respiratory ailments like asthma or emphysema.
If smoke from wildfires is affecting you and your family consider some of the following actions:
• If you smell smoke and/or are beginning to experience symptoms, consider temporarily locating to another area as long as it is safe for you to do so.
• Move indoors and stay there with doors and windows closed.
• Run the air conditioning, the fan feature on your home heating system with the heat turned off. The filtration systems on home systems can provide some benefit.
• Run room air filtration units.
• Reduce your physical activity level. Do not exercise.
There are a few population groups considered especially at risk from exposure to smoke from wildfires.
• Elderly persons;
• Young children (especially children 7-and-under);
• Individuals with pre-existing health conditions like asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease; and
• Individuals with respiratory infections like colds or flu.
Pay attention to local air quality reports. Stay alert to any news coverage or health warnings related to smoke. Also find out if your community reports EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI, based on data from local air quality monitors, tells you about the daily air quality in your area and recommends precautions you can take to protect your health.
As smoke gets worse, the concentration of particles in the air changes, and so do the steps you should take to protect yourself.
Use visibility guides. Monitoring smoke levels from wildland fires is difficult because these fires usually occur in remote areas and the smoke impacts are transitory. Because wildland fire smoke is highly visible, it is possible to visually estimate smoke levels and estimate potential health impacts. Generally, the worse the visibility is, the worse the smoke is. Guide for using this smoke table :
1. Face away from the sun.
2. Determine the limit of your visibility range by looking for targets at known distances (miles). Visibility range is the point at which even high contrast objects totally disappear.
3. Use the visibility range values below to determine the applicable health category.
Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, it is probably not a good time for outdoor activities. And it’s probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.
If you are advised to stay indoors, keep your windows and doors closed. If the home has air conditioning, people can use it, but should keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean. No one should use an evaporative cooler when air quality is poor. Do not add to indoor air pollution. Don’t use anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves, or even candles. Don’t vacuum. That stirs up particles already inside your home. Don’t smoke. That puts even more pollution in your lungs, and in the lungs of people around you.