Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

PHOENIX, AZ (May 28, 2014) – Due to the continued elevated risk of wildfire in the State of Arizona, State Forester Scott Hunt announced today that the Arizona State Forestry Division will be implementing Stage 2 fire restrictions on State-owned and State-managed lands. The restrictions are effective May 30, 2014 at 0800 hrs and will continue until further notice.

These elevated fire restrictions are necessary due to existing very high to extreme fire danger to prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public health and safety. Contributing factors include high temperatures, low humidity, and persistently dry vegetation that provide optimal conditions for rapid spread of wildfire in the forests and deserts of Arizona.

“In the last month, there has been an increased incidence of human-caused wildfires throughout the State, with over 90% being human-caused,” said State Forester Scott Hunt. “Arizona residents can do their part in preventing human-caused fires by following the fire restrictions guidelines for State-owned and State-managed lands.”

These 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; please visit http://azstateparks.com for more information), and all Department of Transportation highway right-of-way property not owned by Federal land management agencies. State lands north of the Grand Canyon are not included in fire restrictions at this time.

The restrictions are as follows:

· Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove including fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites is prohibited. Exemptions include persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

· Smoking is prohibited unless it is within an enclosed vehicle or building.

· Discharging a firearm except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations is prohibited. The exemption to this is that the discharging of firearms is allowed on agency designated shooting ranges.

· The discharging or using of any kind of fireworks and incendiary devices is prohibited.

· The following mechanical and industrial activities are prohibited:

o Operating any internal combustion engine.

o Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

o Using an explosive.

Additional exemptions to the above-listed restrictions include:

· Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

· Industrial operations where specific operations and exemptions are identified and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.

· Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.

· Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads so long as you park in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.

If local authorities have imposed stronger restrictions than those listed above, then the local restrictions shall apply. These restrictions do not apply to private lands.

Know Before You Go! The public can obtain additional fire information via the following:

• Arizona Fire Restrictions: http://firerestrictions.us/az/

• Arizona Fire Prevention & Information (fire restrictions & red flag alerts): http://wildlandfire.az.gov/

• Arizona State Forestry: http://www.azsf.gov

These restrictions are effective May 30, 2014 and will continue until rescinded.