Due to significant precipitation received across the Coconino National Forest, fire restrictions and certain area closures will be lifted.
The Walnut Canyon and Pumphouse Wash area closures will be lifted, and most of the forest will have no fire restrictions other than those which are in place permanently every year.
The following are areas where permanent fire restrictions exists at all times of the year and where campfires are never allowed:
- Fossil Creek
- Flagstaff city limits and just outside of city limits on national forest land, except in developed campgrounds and recreation areas
- Honanki and Palatki Heritage Sites
- Mount Elden, Dry Lake Hills area, except in developed campgrounds and recreation areas, north of Flagstaff
- Mormon Crossing and Spring Creek area
- Pumphouse Wash and Kelly Pocket area south of Flagstaff
- Red Rock Country, Oak Creek Canyon, Wet Beaver Creek and Sedona, except in developed campgrounds and recreation areas
- Stage Stop & Dry Beaver Creek area
- Sycamore Creek and Parsons Trail area
Fire-related area closures will remain in effect around the perimeters of the Pipeline and Haywire fires but have been reduced in size. Another fire-related closure still in effect is that of the Fossil Creek area due to last year’s Backbone Fire.
The decision to lift fire restrictions was made based on the amount of precipitation both received and forecasted across all three forest districts.
While a ban on campfires and smoking has been lifted, Coconino National Forest visitors are reminded that fireworks are never allowed on National Forest land at any time.
A full list of fire restriction stages is available on the Coconino National Forest website.