State agencies to implement seasonal fire restrictions in Arizona this week

PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River and Phoenix Districts are going to implement seasonal Stage 2 fire restrictions due to dry conditions.

Taking effect this Friday, May 23, at 8:00 a.m., the restrictions will be for the following lands and counties:

• State lands
  • Gila County
  • La Paz County
  • Maricopa County
  • Yavapai County
  • Yuma County
• BLM-managed lands
  • La Paz County
  • Maricopa
  • Southern Mojave County
  • Northern Pinal County
  • Western Pima County
  • Yavapai County
  • Yuma County

In addition, the following activities will be prohibited once the fire restrictions take effect:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. Smoking is prohibited in all federal buildings.
• Operating any internal combustion engine, such as a chainsaw or similar tool.
• Discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal law, and regulations.
  • This restriction also includes the BLM Phoenix District's developed recreational shooting sites: Baldy Mountain, Box Canyon, Church Camp Road, and Saddleback Mountain.
• Welding or the use of any torch or metal cutting or grinding implement.

Fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited on federally managed lands in Arizona year-round while fireworks and target shooting are prohibited on state lands in Arizona year-round.

Other parts of Arizona are already under fire restrictions. To learn more about this, click here.