On Wednesday May 12, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chairman signed the Interim Fire Prohibition Order which states in part, “In accordance with Arizona Revised Statute §11-251(63) and Yavapai County Ordinance 2020-2, Sections VI, VII and VIII hereby order an interim prohibition of fireworks and implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions across all four fire zones in Yavapai County.”
The county is implementing the ban in coordination with Prescott and Coconino National Forests, which also announced Stage I fire restrictions beginning at the same time as the county ban, at 8 a.m. Friday, May 14.
Stage I fire restrictions prohibit the following:
- Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes outside a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area. 36 CFR §261.52(a).
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. 36 CFR §261.52(d).
- Discharging a firearm, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations. 36 CFR §261.58(m).
Exemptions to the restrictions include the following: Pursuant to 36 CFR §261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from the provisions in this Order:
- Holders of Forest Service Special Use Authorizations are exempt from Prohibition #1 above, provided such fires are within a fire structure and they are within their permitted area.
- Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.
Persons using a stove fire in a designated area. - Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.
Yavapai County is joined in their fire ban by nearly every local municipality in Yavapai County as well as the Prescott National Forest Service.
Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chairman Craig Brown said, “With the Tussock Fire burning here in Yavapai County and what we are being told is the potential for a very dangerous wildfire season, I believe it is in everyone’s best interest if we institute these restrictions now.”
“There are signs posted around the county reminding people of the fire ban and It is important to remember that many of the fires we see along our roads are caused by carelessly disposing of cigarettes as well as trucks pulling trailers with chains hanging down low enough to drag on the road and cause sparks,” Brown state. “Don’t park in high grass and please be careful out there.”
This fire ban will stay in effect until the risk has diminished and there is agency consensus that restrictions may be lifted.
