This article was updated on 05/23/22
For those planning summer camping trips, high fire danger and dry conditions are triggering stricter fire restrictions on state and federal lands across southern and southeastern Arizona starting in late May.
Beginning Wednesday, May 25, additional fire restrictions will go into effect in Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and six additional National Park Service (NPS) sites in southern Arizona. The same restrictions will take effect in the Coronado National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management for State Trust Lands.
Stage 2 fire restrictions, which prohibit building campfires, smoking, discharging firearms and using off-roadway combustion engines, will remain in effect indefinitely due to increased fire activity and dry conditions.
Portable stoves and lanterns using gas or pressurized liquid with shut-off devices are allowed in areas clear of grasses.
The interagency restrictions will cover the following lands:
- Saguaro National Park
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
- Tonto National Monument
- Tumacácori National Historic Park
- Coronado National Memorial
- Chiricahua National Monument
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site
- Coronado National Forest
- Bureau of Land Management districts within Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal and Santa Cruz counties
- Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management for State Trust Lands within counties Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz counties.
The following are prohibited year-round at all NPS sites:
- Leaving a fire unattended or unextinguished
- Possession or use of any fireworks
- Use of firearms on NPS lands is prohibited
Local agencies may implement further restrictions.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to check with county and municipal governments for restrictions specific to their areas in order to avoid violations.
For additional information, please visit WildlandFire.AZ.gov
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Anne Simmons is the digital executive producer for KGUN 9. Anne got her start in television while still a student at the University of Arizona. Before joining KGUN, she managed multiple public access television stations in the Bay Area and has worked as a video producer in the non-profit sector. Share your story ideas and important issues with Anne by emailing anne.simmons@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
