The Coconino National Forest will implement Stage 2 fire and smoking restrictions beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 21, as the threat of unwanted wildfires increases due to hot, dry and windy weather conditions.
Under Stage 2 restrictions, the following are prohibited forest-wide:
o Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes, anywhere within the Coconino National Forest, including developed recreation sites. This prohibition also includes smudge pots and wood stoves.
o Smoking outside, with the exception of smoking within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
o Blasting, welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame
o Operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine during industrial operations or firewood gathering, with the exemption of generators equipped with an approved spark-arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.
o Additionally, motorized vehicles will be prohibited within several specific roads in the Flagstaff Ranger District, including roads near the San Francisco Peaks area, Pumphouse Wash area and Marshall Lake area.
This is the first year motorized vehicle restrictions will be implemented during Stage 2 restrictions as part of a pilot program. “We made the decision two years ago to restrict motor vehicle access to particularly sensitive areas during Stage 2 restrictions to prevent human-caused wildfires,” District Ranger Matt McGrath said. “It’s notoriously difficult for firefighters to quickly suppress fires located in some areas of the district due to topography, high wind speeds and other geographic challenges.”
Over the past decade, 90% of human caused wildfires within the Flagstaff Ranger District occurred within 500 feet of a Forest Service road.
“Limiting motor vehicle use in those areas is the best way we found to balance community safety with access to public land,” McGrath added. “Restricting motor vehicle use on a small portion of the district for a small portion of the year seems like the best way to significantly reduce that 90% of human-caused wildfires.”
Stoves or grills fueled by propane, pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas may be used during Stage 2 fire restrictions.
Historical data shows Stage 2 restrictions typically last between 28 and 35 days on the Coconino National Forest. Stage 2 restrictions end either when conditions warrant a need to move to Stage 3 restrictions — a fullforest closure — or when the area receives significant, widespread precipitation and restrictions can be scaled back or removed.
Violations may result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines or jail time.
