MUCH NEEDED MOISTURE IN NAVAJO COUNTY
ALLOWS COUNTY SUPERVISORS TO LIFT FIRE RESTRICTIONS
(HOBROOK, AZ) – The onset of the summer monsoons has reached the White Mountains,
providing some much needed moisture for the local communities, and a collective sigh of relief
as we enter into the rainy season. As a result, the Navajo County Board of Supervisors
unanimously approved the immediate cancelation of the Outdoor Fire Ordinance 01-06, Section
7, at their Board meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. The ordinance has been in place since
mid-May of this year.
Navajo County’s Emergency Manager Dan Hinz informed the Board of Supervisors that all
indications are that the worst of the fire danger has passed, and conditions are such that the
United States Forest Service, Apache County Emergency Management, cities and towns within
Navajo County and local fire agencies are also taking similar steps to lift their restrictions.
Lifting this restriction will allow residents, and visitors, to use charcoal and small camp fires.
Local fire departments/districts will still have responsibility for issuing open debris burning
permits. Residents are encouraged to contact their respective fire departments/districts prior to
using their burning permit to verify conditions.

Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions have been lifted by the Apache-Sitgreaves Forest Supervisor, Jim Zornes. However, there are still some areas that will remain closed and they have been listed below. Navajo County Emergency Management will present a report on current conditions at the July 10th Board of Supervisors meeting and discuss rescinding fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of Navajo County.  Apache County Emergency Management will be rescinding fire restricts in the unincorparated areas of Apache County on July 1o, 2012 and will report current conditions at the July 17th Board of Supervisor’s meeting.

Wallow Fire Area Closure (Order #01-11-527 Amendment#11), which prohibits dispersed camping whithin the following areas:
Auger Creek Closure Area
Fish Creek Closure Area
Middle Mountain Closure Area
Milligan Valley Closure Area
Prime Canyon Closure Area
West Fork Closure Area

Further the following campgrounds and recreation areas remain CLOSED (via Closure order #01-11-527 Amendment #11):
Aspen Campground
Blue Crossing Campground
Buffalo Crossing Campground
Deer Creek Campground
Diamond Rock Campground
Horse Springs Campground
Raccoon Campground
South Fork Campground
West Fork Dispersed Campground

For more details on this weekends events please visit http://www.heberovergaard.org/events4thinfo.htm

Reminder that while commercial fireworks displays are being allowed, Navajo and Apache County are still under fire restrictions and personnal fireworks are prohibited.