Arizona land managers tighten restrictions as wildfires strain crews statewide

State and federal land managers across Arizona are ratcheting up fire restrictions Tuesday as a punishing stretch of hot, dry weather fuels new wildfires and stretches firefighting resources thin.

The Tonto National Forest will impose emergency Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and Emergency Recreational Shooting Restrictions across all of its nearly 3 million acres beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management will do the same on State Trust lands in Coconino, Gila, Maricopa and Pinal counties at the same time.

Stage 1 restrictions are in effect in Mohave and Yavapai counties. Stage 2 restrictions are already in place on State Trust lands in Apache, La Paz, Navajo and Yuma counties.

Officials said the coordinated move was driven by critically dry vegetation, unfavorable weather forecasts and crews already committed to active fires across the state.

Last weekend’s Red Flag conditions pushed those resources to the breaking point, with crews responding to 40 new fire starts statewide, according to the state fire authorities.

Large-scale operations continue to tie up personnel and equipment, including the roughly 11,000-acre Pocket Fire near Sedona and the nearly 12,000-acre Sycamore Fire north of Globe.

What is barred under a fire restriction?

Under Stage 2 restrictions, all campfires, charcoal grills and wood stoves are prohibited. Smoking is banned except within an enclosed vehicle, building or developed recreation site. Chainsaws and other internal combustion engine equipment are prohibited between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Target shooting and recreational firearms discharge are banned.

Fireworks are prohibited at all times.

Violations of federal fire restrictions are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail.

The restrictions are in place until Oct. 31 or until they are rescinded.

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