Most if not all of Northeast Arizona will be under Stage 1 fire restrictions at 12:01 A.M. May 23rd. Stage 1 restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire. Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. This will include all unicorporated areas of Navajo and Apache Counties as well as State  and Federal Lands. Most cities and towns will also be under restrictions of some type.

Navajo County and State Lands do not permit the use of any and all fireworks during Fire Restrictions. And fireworks are never allowed on National Forest lands.While most agencies have similar restrictions there may be some variances, please check with the specific jurisdiction if you have any questions.  All Open Burn Permits issued by Navajo County are suspended until further notice. Fire restriction exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started.

And if in doubt, put it out!!

A trough of low pressure will bring gusty southwest winds to Northern Arizona today. Critical Fire Weather conditions are expected to develop across Northwest Arizona from the combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 8 PM again today!

Dry and breezy weather will continue on Friday with Critical Fire Weather conditions possible for the weekend in much of Northern Arizona. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect.

Winds out of the southwest at 15 to 25 MPH with gusts up to 40 MPH.

Please exercise extreme caution with smoking, flamable tools, cooking equipment or combustable engines.  We want all of our residents and visitors to be safe during these Critical Fire Weather days.

Several fires were started yesterday due to lightning in the area.

Faught Ridge Fire: The fire should be fully contained today. The accurate acreage is 18.8 acres. The Gila Hotshots and Payson Helitack were released yesterday. Fire crews are in the mop up stage. The following resources are still on the fire: Engine 5262, Apache#1 short crew, Apache #2 short crew, Black Mesa Hotshots, Engine 5241, Water Tender-893.

Reservation Lake, Reservation Lake 2, and Cowboy Springs are fully contained.