Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

The Arizona Game and Fish Department implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions at all department wildlife areas on April 18. The restrictions are part of the restrictions issued by the Arizona State Forestry Division on state-owned and state-managed lands outside incorporated municipalities due to the increased risk of wildfire in the state.

Stage 1 restrictions mean that no open fires are allowed - including campfires and wood or charcoal-burning stoves and barbecues. Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building or developed recreation site. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch devices with open flames is prohibited, as are fireworks.

Increase In Fire Numbers

"The state has seen an increase in the number of wildfires in the last few weeks, with most being human-caused," said State Forester Scott Hunt of the Arizona State Forestry Division. "Implementing fire restrictions will reduce the threat of wildfire to communities and to natural resources; Arizona residents can do their part in preventing human-caused fires by following the fire restrictions guidelines for state-owned and state-managed lands."

The State Forester's fire restrictions cover all unincorporated state-owned and state-managed lands south of the Grand Canyon, including all state trust lands, all Game and Fish wildlife areas, all Arizona state parks (state parks will remain open with campfires allowed in developed campgrounds; please visit http://azstateparks.com for more information), and all Arizona Department of Transportation highway right-of-way property not owned by federal land management agencies.

Wildlife Areas Affected

Although Game and Fish wildlife areas are under fire restrictions, the areas remain open, offering an excellent outdoor recreation experience, and you can still use gas and propane stoves and lanterns at this time.

The restrictions apply to the following wildlife areas -

• Alamo Wildlife Area

• Allen Severson Memorial Wildlife Area

• Aravaipa Wildlife Area

• Arlington Wildlife Area

• Base and Meridian Wildlife Area

• Becker Lake Wildlife Area

• Bog Hole Wildlife Area

• Chevelon Canyon Wildlife Area

• Chevelon Creek Wildlife Area

• Cibola Wildlife Area

• Clarence May Wildlife Area

• Cluff Ranch Wildlife Area

• Colorado River Nature Center

• Fool Hollow Lake Wildlife Area

• House Rock Wildlife Area

• Jacques Marsh Wildlife Area

• Lamar Haines Wildlife Area

• Luna Lake Wildlife Area

• Mittry Lake Wildlife Area

• Powers Butte Wildlife Area

• Quigley Wildlife Area

• Raymond Wildlife Area

• Robbins Butte Wildlife Area

• Roosevelt Lake Wildlife Area

• Santa Rita Wildlife Area

• Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area

• Springerville Marsh Wildlife Area

• Sunflower Flat Wildlife Area

• Three Bar Wildlife Area

• Tucson Mountain Wildlife Area

• Upper Verde River Wildlife Area

• Wenima Wildlife Area

• White Mountain Grasslands Wildlife Area

• Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area

• Willcox Playa Wildlife Area

Outdoor recreationists should also be aware that fire restrictions went into effect on April 18 on certain other lands, including the Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott and Tonto national forests. Check the Web sites of the forest you will be visiting for more information.

For More Information

For more information about fire restrictions, please visit the fire restrictions website at http://firerestrictions.us/az. Additional information about the Arizona State Forestry Division and the Notice of Fire Restrictions may be found at http://www.azsf.gov.

For a list of Game and Fish wildlife areas, directions, and the wildlife you might see at those areas, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/WildlifeViewingAreas.shtml.