FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — With Northern Arizona facing continued warm, dry, and windy conditions, both the City of Flagstaff and portions of Coconino County will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions next week in coordination with local, state, and federal fire agencies.
The City of Flagstaff announced that Stage 1 fire restrictions will take effect at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Under the City’s restrictions, permits for open burning will no longer be issued, and the sale or use of consumer-grade fireworks will be prohibited. Charcoal and wood-fired BBQs will also be banned in City parks and open spaces.
Additionally, the use of fire pits and other open flame devices without an on/off switch will be prohibited on Red Flag Warning days issued by the National Weather Service.
City officials also reminded the public that smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes are prohibited at all times in public places throughout the City of Flagstaff, including parks, open spaces, and the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS).
Meanwhile, Coconino County announced that Stage 1 restrictions will also take effect in areas within the Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino National Forest boundaries.
Restrictions within Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and the community of Forest Lakes will begin Tuesday, May 19 at 6 a.m. Restrictions within Coconino National Forest boundaries will begin Thursday, May 21 at 8 a.m.
At this time, no restrictions are planned for unincorporated lands within the Kaibab National Forest boundaries.
County officials say Stage 1 restrictions prohibit igniting, building, maintaining, or using fires fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes, or coal except within developed sites. Smoking is also prohibited except inside enclosed vehicles or developed sites.
The use of tracer rounds, incendiary ammunition, and explosive targets is also prohibited.
Devices fueled solely by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off are allowed only within developed sites that are cleared of vegetation and combustible materials within a 15-foot radius.
Officials say the restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect both the public and firefighting resources during increasingly dangerous fire conditions.
Additional restrictions could be implemented if conditions worsen. Fire restrictions generally remain in place until the region receives widespread, significant precipitation.
Violations of fire restrictions could result in fines and/or jail time.
Residents and visitors are urged to use extreme caution while recreating outdoors, regardless of current restriction levels.
