Coconino NF strengthening fire restrictions Friday to Stage 2 fire restrictions to take effect as hot, dry, windy weather continues.
The Coconino National Forest will implement Stage 2 fire and smoking restrictions beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, June 21 as the threat of unwanted wildfires increases due to hot, dry and windy weather conditions.
Under Stage 2 restrictions, the following are prohibited forest-wide:
Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire (including charcoal and briquettes) anywhere within the Coconino National Forest, including developed recreation sites. This prohibition also includes smudge pots and wood stoves.
Smoking outside (with the exemption of smoking within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material) Blasting, welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame
Operating a generator, chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine during industrial operations or firewood gathering (with the exemption of generators equipped with an approved spark-arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator)
Additionally, motorized vehicles will be prohibited within several specific roads in the Flagstaff Ranger District, including roads near the San Francisco Peaks area, Pumphouse Wash area, and Marshall Lake area.
This is the first year motorized vehicle restrictions will be implemented during Stage 2 restrictions as part of a pilot program.
“We made the decision two years ago to restrict motor vehicle access to particularly sensitive areas during Stage 2 restrictions to prevent human-caused wildfires,” said District Ranger Matt McGrath. “It’s notoriously difficult for firefighters to quickly suppress fires located in some areas of the district due to topography, high wind speeds, and other geographic challenges.”
Over the past decade, 90% of human-caused wildfires in the Flagstaff Ranger District occurred within 500 feet of a Forest Service road.
“Limiting motor vehicle use in those areas is the best way we found to balance community safety with access to public land,” McGrath added. “Restricting motor vehicle use on a small portion of the district for a small portion of the year seems like the best way to significantly reduce that 90% of human-caused wildfires.”
Stoves or grills fueled by propane, pressurized liquid petroleum, or pressurized liquid petroleum gas may be used during Stage 2 fire restrictions.
Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Decisions about fire restrictions are based on a combination of carefully measured factors.
Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought and available firefighting resources.
Historical data shows Stage 2 restrictions typically last between 28 and 35 days on the Coconino National Forest. Stage 2 restrictions end either when conditions warrant a need to move to Stage 3 restrictions – the full-forest closure – or when the area receives significant, widespread precipitation and restrictions can be scaled back or removed.
Violations could result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines, or jail time.
The public is reminded to always be extra cautious when recreating on public lands, regardless of restrictions.
