Apache and Navajo Counties 1:00 PM, Apache-Sitegreaves National Forests have moved to Stage II fire restrictions. Stage II fire restrictions mean that NO CAMPFIRES ARE ALLOWED IN DEVELOPED CAMPSITES OR WHEN DISPERSE CAMPING. The criteria officials consider before implementing fire restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel conditions, fire activity levels, and available resources. Stage II fire restrictions came into effect on Friday June 1, 2012 at 12:00 PM.
What is NOT ALLOWED?
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire
- Using an explosive
- Smoking, 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 material
- Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device
- Welding, or operating acetylene, or other torch with open flame
- Operating a chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine without a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in an effective working order, is prohibited from 9 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order which meets either Apache or Navajo Counties’ fire restriction ordinance as follows:
- You may not burn, start, ignite, build, attend, have, possess, maintain or use any open outdoor fire
- You may not burn, start, ignite, build, attend, have, possess, maintain or use flammable or combustible materials
- You may not engage in smoking or smoke, burn, start, ignite, build, attend, have, possess, maintain or use smoking materials, burning, smoldering or lit cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, smoking pipes or other smoking products containing tobacco or other plant material
Stage II fire restrictions will remain in place until lands within Apache and Navajo Counties receive significant precipitation.
Violation of the prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest land. Arizona state lands have imposed their own restrictions separately.