Stage 2 fire restrictions set to begin this week across Arizona due to wildfire threat

PHOENIX — Stage 2 fire restrictions are set to begin across Arizona this week due to heightened wildfire activity and dry conditions, officials said.

Restrictions are set to be in place either Wednesday or Thursday for the Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Coronado, Kaibab, Prescott and Tonto national forests, the city of Flagstaff, as well as all state-owned and managed lands and the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon of Grand Canyon National Park.

“The restrictions are necessary to reduce human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and persistent severe fire conditions,” the Apache-Sitgreaves forests said in a statement.

In areas under Stage 2, people will not be able to build, maintain, attend or use a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal or wood stove, including within developed campgrounds or improved sites, officials said.

The restrictions also either prohibit or limit activities including shooting, smoking outdoors, driving motor vehicles off-road, running generators, welding, explosives, using a chain saw or a torch with an open flame.

More information can be found on the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention website.

Those who don’t follow the restrictions can be fined or face jail time, or both, and may have to pay back wildland fire suppression costs, officials said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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