Following consultation with Forest Lakes Fire District and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), areas of Coconino County within the boundaries of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 15.
This decision, according to Coconino County鈥檚 Wildfire Defense Ordinance, will apply to all private property within the boundaries of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This includes the unincorporated community of Forest Lakes and all private campgrounds and recreation areas.
鈥淐oconino County implements fire restrictions to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires. CCEM continues to work closely with our fire mitigation partners at the federal, state and local levels to determine if fire restrictions are needed, and if so, to what extent,鈥� said Tim Carter, acting Emergency Management director for Coconino County. 鈥淚n coordination with the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests鈥� decision to enter Stage 2 restrictions, Coconino County will also enact Stage 2 restrictions for all private lands within the boundaries of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in southeastern Coconino County.鈥�
Under the county鈥檚 Stage 2 restrictions, igniting, building or maintaining a fire fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes and/or coal is strictly prohibited. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site. The use of internal combustion engines without spark arresting devices is prohibited. The use of tracer or incendiary rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also prohibited.
Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest and state lands.
Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is still allowed only in a developed site. A developed site is defined in the county鈥檚 Wildfire Defense Ordinance as an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 15 feet of the device.
鈥淲ildfire mitigation is the responsibility of all of us,鈥� Carter added. 鈥淣ow is a great time to continue improving defensible space around structures, clear fine fuels and never leave fires unattended.鈥�
For information on Coconino County鈥檚 Stage 1, 2, and 3 fire restrictions, visit .