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Whenever you plan to head out on to your public lands, it's always wise to call ahead to the Field Office or Ranger Station that oversees your destination to check on local conditions. Point and click at the interactive map above to search all of the state's recreation sites for phone numbers and other details. |
Arizona Fire News
ARIZONA RESTRICTIONS AND CLOSURES
SEEING SMOKE IN ARIZONA? MAYBE IT'S INTENTIONAL
PRESS SECTION -- click here to read official agency Press Releases and/or Restriction and Closure Orders
Latest Fire News
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The Safford Air Operations Center is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management.
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ARIZONA RESTRICTIONS AND CLOSURES
Fall and Winter, 2009
"Fire Season 2009" was pretty light. There were some lightning-caused wildfires - many of which were carefully monitored while being allowed to burn and reduce dangerous fuel buildups. While the traditional "Monsoonal flow" of moisture from the south seemed to come and go, many parts of Arizona remained dangerously hot and dry, maintaining their restrictions into September.
Opportunities for outdoor fun on public lands abound year round, even during the spring and summer "fire season." While scattered wildfires may temporarily affect travel while being managed or suppressed by fire crews, there is always some place where you can camp, hike, fish, visit historic sites or take a leisurely drive to enjoy the scenery.
Land management agencies, tribal governments, counties and cities pay particularly close attention to fire prevention and preparedness every year - regardless of moisture - to ensure that your outdoor experiences will be pleasant and safe. Often, controlled burning activities are also planned for this time of year - see the PRESS SECTION for details.
YOUR bottom line? Always plan outdoor excursions wisely; call local authorities to check on any last-minute changes in conditions before you leave. Point and click at the interactive map of Arizona above to search all of the state's recreation sites for phone numbers and other details.
BE CAREFUL with fire year round. And remember ALL FIREWORKS (EVEN SPARKLERS) ARE ILLEGAL IN ARIZONA!!
WHAT`S OPEN:
Most EVERYTHING!! except for the few areas listed below.
WHAT`S RESTRICTED:
Different land managing agencies establish their fire restrictions for their lands in different ways. Some use national forest or ranger district boundaries, county lines or other administrative areas.
MANY OF THE RESTRICTIONS BELOW WERE POSTED WITHOUT EXPIRATION DATES - CHECK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO SEE IF YOU CAN NOW SPARK UP A CAMPFIRE.
Use the maps found throughout this website to clarify where you might be restricted from using fires. Start here to find county or national forest boundaries.
NATIONAL FORESTS
NONE OF ARIZONA'S SIX NATIONAL FORESTS IS CURRENTLY OBSERVING FIRE RESTRICTIONS.
BLM LANDS
THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT HAS LIFTED ALL 2009 RESTRICTIONS.
Here is a map showing BLM Field Office boundaries.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES
OPEN FIRES of any type are PROHIBITED on these refuges year round.
NATIONAL PARKS
NONE OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS IN ARIZONA ARE CURRENTLY OBSERVING ANY SEASONAL FIRE RESTRICTIONS.
However, National Parks and Monuments maintain differing restrictions on cooking and campfires year round - use the interactive map above to locate individual sites and check the NOTES at the bottom of a site's page for local restrictions.
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS (BIA)
Hopi Tribal lands remain under restrictions year round and other reservations observe seasonal restrictions.
San Carlos Apache Agency lands entered restrictions on May 13th. For further information regarding these restrictions please call (928) 475-2326 or click here.
Quechan Tribal lands have fire restrictions for campfires, check locally for compliance requirements.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes have closures of designated areas, check locally for compliance requirements.
To contact individual tribes about local conditions, use the following numbers: Tohono O'odham (520-383-8276), San Carlos Apache (928-475-2326), Salt River Pima (480-850-8244), Navajo Nation (928-729-4007), Hopi (928-734-2106), Gila River Community (520-796-5900), Fort Apache (928-338-5326).
Please remember, tribal lands are NOT public lands; please observe all tribal restrictions on access, photography, etc.
STATE PARKS, STATE TRUST LANDS and STATE WILDLIFE AREAS
STATE TRUST LANDS USUALLY DROP FIRE RESTRICTIONS BY JULY 31st.
ARIZONA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT followed suit at nine of their Wildlife Areas.
Remember, any non-hunting, out-of-season recreation on State Trust Lands requires a permit from the Arizona State Land Department.
Click here to locate Arizona State Parks and call ahead to the individual park to check for any local restrictions.
OTHER PUBLIC LANDS
The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department has lifted their ban open and charcoal fires; smoking outside of enclosed vehicles in city mountain parks and desert preserves remains restricted.
WHAT`S CLOSED:
Local conditions sometimes require land managers to close access or use of areas within their jurisdiction. ALWAYS check with local offices before venturing out on to Arizona's public lands.
In the Apache-Sitgreaves, Highway 273 is open but a paving project continues; the public should be able to travel on one side of the road while the other is being paved, but you might still expect construction delays.
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SEEING SMOKE IN ARIZONA? MAYBE IT'S INTENTIONAL
Many agencies and tribes practice prescribed burning to eliminate excess fuels and reduce fire danger. Weather and environmental conditions play a key role in the timing and accomplishment of these projects. People in these areas will see and smell smoke for the duration of the burn; smoke inversions may occur during nighttime hours. As always, firefighter and public safety are the top priority.
Sometimes, naturally caused wildfires are allowed to burn for the same reasons. The objective of any such "managed" fire is to protect, maintain and enhance resources, and, as nearly as possible, allow fire to function in its natural ecological role within defined boundaries.
Before a fire is put into such status, land managers evaluate several criteria. For example, archaeologists and wildlife biologists inspect the area to ensure wildlife habitats and archaeological sites will not be harmed as a result of the fire or management practices. Once a fire is actively managed, meaning boundaries, weather and fuels conditions under which the fire will be allowed to burn are established.
In both cases, agency fire managers follow strict guidelines, monitoring burn conditions and the generation of smoke. If you are concerned about how wildfire smoke can affect your health, click here (http://www.nps.gov/archive/zion/Fire/SmokeHealth.htm ).
For an example of a News Release about a prescribed burning project, click here.
If you are concerned about how wildfire smoke can affect your health, go to this website.
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Prescribed burns like this one help reduce fire danger, and so do following posted restrictions! Keep our public lands open this summer!
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LATEST FIRE NEWS
Week of September 14, 2009
Because of many showers in May and June plus the ON parts of New Mexico's ON and OFF "Monsoon Season" in July and August, what is usually called "Fire Season" was relatively mild in 2009. We did have some hot, dry weather and lots of windy "Red Flag" days during the spring and many of the current rainstorms have carried enough lightning to spark up some actual wildfires; all summer long many were carefully monitored while being allowed to burn and reduce dangerous fuel buildups. Summer camping season is pretty much over, but fall hunters are out and about on public lands and the number of campfires that might get away remains a constant concern.
Of course opportunities for outdoor fun on public lands abound year round, even during the spring and summer "fire season." While small fires may temporarily affect travel while being suppressed or managed by fire crews, there is always some place where you can camp, hike, fish, visit historic sites or take a leisurely drive to enjoy the scenery.
Land management agencies, tribal governments, counties and cities pay particularly close attention to fire prevention and preparedness every year - regardless of moisture - to ensure that your outdoor experiences will be pleasant and safe. Often, controlled burning activities are also planned for the spring and fall - see the PRESS SECTION for details.
YOUR bottom line? Always plan outdoor excursions wisely, call local authorities to check on any last-minute changes in conditions before you leave and BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! Remember, FIREWORKS are ALWAYS illegal on public lands!!
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