Maricopa County, Phoenix parks implementing fire ban May 1

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department are putting their annual fire ban for parks and mountain preserves in place May 1.

The departments impose the restrictions each year, banning campfires, fire pits and charcoal grills due to the risk of starting a wildfire.

The ban follows Maricopa County Air Quality Department’s regulations on burn activity. Under the restrictions, outdoor fires will be prohibited through Sept. 3 throughout the county, including all regional parks.

Jennifer Waller, the director of Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, said it’s necessary for public safety.

“Maricopa County continues to experience below-average rainfall, and our desert vegetation is extremely dry,” Waller said in a statement. “As temperatures rise, so does the risk of wildfire. These restrictions are critical to protecting our parks, visitors and natural resources.”

The following Phoenix parks and mountain preserves are included in the fire ban:

• Camelback Mountain
• Deem Hills Recreation Area
• Lookout Mountain
• Papago Park
• Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area
• Phoenix Mountains Preserve
• Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
• North Mountain Park
• Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
• South Mountain Park/Preserve

The Maricopa County regional parks applying a fire ban include:

• Adobe Dam Regional Park
• Buckeye Hills Regional Park
• Cave Creek Regional Park
• Estrella Mountain Regional Park
• Hassayampa River Preserve
• Lake Pleasant Regional Park/Desert Outdoor Center
• McDowell Mountain Regional Park
• San Tan Mountain Regional Park
• Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
• Usery Mountain Regional Park
• White Tank Mountain Regional Park

More information can be found online.

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