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Prescott NF Enters Stage 1 Fire Restrictions May 5th


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The Prescott National Forest is planning to enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective May 5, 2022, at 8:00 am in conjunction with CAFMA and Prescott Fire. The restrictions are going into place due to increasing fire activity and dry conditions due to insufficient moisture and dry fuel conditions.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, Prescott National Forest, Prescott, Yavapai County, Bradshaw Ranger District, Verde Ranger District,

Fire officials use several criteria to determine when to modify fire restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moistures, fire activity, and available firefighting resources. These restrictions reduce the risk of unwanted human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and elevated fire weather conditions.

Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are ALWAYS prohibited in National Forests.

Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit the following:

  1. Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes outside a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a DESIGNATED AREA. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
  2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
  3. Discharging a firearm, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(m).

Exemptions to the restrictions include the following:

  • Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from the provisions in this Order:
  • Holders of Forest Service Special Use Authorizations are exempt from Prohibition #1 above, provided such fires are within a fire structure and they are within their permitted area.
  • Persons engaged in legal hunting activity are allowed to discharge a firearm while taking wildlife
  • Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.
  • Persons using a stove fire in a designated area.
  • Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.

Violators of the above restrictions are subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

Designated Areas

The following is a comprehensive list of the DESIGNATED AREAS, as referenced in Prohibition #1. Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes, is only allowed within a fire structure (metal fire rings and/or metal pedestal grills) provided by the Forest Service at the following developed recreation areas:

Bradshaw Ranger District (928) 443-8000

Alto Pit OHV Campground Yavapai Campground Cayuse Equestrian TH Day-Use
Wekuvde Day-Use Groom Creek Horse Campground Hilltop Campground
Ranch Trailhead #62 Eagle Ridge Campground Lower Wolf Creek Campground
Upper Wolf Creek Campground Lynx Campground Lynx Creek Ruin Day-Use
Lynx Lake South Shore Day-Use White Spar Campground Thumb Butte Day-Use + Group Ramada
Hazlett Hollow Campground Horsethief Cabin Turney Gulch Group Campground

Verde Ranger District (928) 567-4121

Mingus Mountain Campground Mingus Tent Sites Mingus Group site
Mingus Vista Day-Use Mingus Picnic Day-Use Sycamore Cabin Rental
Hayfield Draw OHV Day-Use AZHPA Campground Beasley Flat Day-Use
Black Canyon Day-Use Copper Canyon Trailhead Summit Day-Use
Playground Group Campground Potato Patch Campground White Bridge Day-Use

Chino Valley Ranger District

N/A

To view Forest Order 03-09-00-22-03: Prescott National Forest Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, please go to Alerts & Notices.

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Catch up with more Local News Stories on Signals A Z.com.


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