Hundreds warned of fire restrictions in Arizona forest

Hundreds of warnings and multiple citations have been issued since a central Arizona forest implemented fire restrictions.

The Tonto National Forest outside Phoenix banned campfires and target shooting earlier this month.

In the weekend of fire restrictions, forest officials say they issued more than 300 warnings and multiple citations. The forest says most of those were for illegal target shooting, followed by campfires and using charcoal to cook food.

Anyone found guilty of violating fire restrictions faces a maximum $5,000 fine and six months in jail.

Much of Arizona is under fire restrictions because of dry conditions and warm weather.

Officials say they’re needed to protect the public and the land.