FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Portions of Coconino County within and adjacent to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, including the community of Forest Lakes, will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions beginning Friday, June 26, at 8 a.m., county officials announced.
The restrictions come after consultation between Coconino County and the U.S. Forest Service due to increasing wildfire danger. All other areas of Coconino County will remain under Stage 1 fire restrictions at this time.
Under Coconino County’s Wildfire Defense Ordinance, the Stage 2 restrictions apply to all private property located within and adjacent to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest boundaries.
What Stage 2 Restrictions Mean
During Stage 2 fire restrictions, the following activities are prohibited:
- Igniting, building, maintaining or using fires fueled by wood, charcoal, briquettes or coal.
- Smoking, except inside an enclosed vehicle or at a developed site.
- Operating internal combustion engines for common household activities such as landscaping, property maintenance or repairs unless the equipment is fitted with an approved spark arresting device.
- Welding or using acetylene torches or any other open-flame torch.
- Using tracer or incendiary ammunition or explosive targets.
Propane or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) devices that can be turned on and off are still permitted, but only at developed sites.
A developed site is defined by the county as an area cleared of all overhead vegetation and combustible materials within a 15-foot radius of the cooking or heating device.
County officials are reminding residents and visitors to remain vigilant while recreating outdoors, regardless of current fire restrictions. Dry conditions and elevated fire danger mean even a small spark could quickly lead to a fast-moving wildfire.
Violating fire restrictions may result in fines, jail time, or both.
For more information about Coconino County’s Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 fire restrictions, visit the county’s fire restrictions webpage.
