Full Notification

Fire Restrictions To Begin Friday Within the Town of Payson an On Four Arizona National Forests

ARIZONA - Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented at 8 a.m. Friday, April 18, within the Town of Payson and on the Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott and Tonto National Forests in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires. On the Kaibab National Forest, restrictions will apply only to the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts. Fire restrictions will not yet be implemented on the North Kaibab Ranger District due to different weather and fuels conditions.

Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in developed campgrounds. Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are clear of flammable materials. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands.

On the Prescott National Forest, campfires are not allowed at the designated dispersed sites within the Prescott Basin. Metal posts identify designated dispersed sites with a number.

Implementation of fire restrictions is especially important this year given the dry winter and impacts of long-term drought on the forests. Criteria used to determine when to implement fire restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Fire restrictions will remain in effect until the forests receive significant precipitation.

"We are seeing conditions on the forests that warrant going into fire restrictions earlier than usual," said Coconino National Forest Supervisor Earl Stewart. "We could have a long fire season ahead of us, and we need members of the public to work with us to prevent human-caused starts."

Know Before You Go! The public can obtain additional fire information via the following:

· Arizona Fire Restrictions http://firerestrictions.us/az/ <http://firerestrictions.us/az/>

· Arizona Fire Prevention & Information (fire restrictions & red flag alerts) http://wildlandfire.az.gov/ <http://wildlandfire.az.gov/>

· Fire Restrictions on Public Lands in Arizona and New Mexico 1-877-864-6985

· Prescott NF Fire Information Hotline: (928) 777-5799

· Local Ranger Stations: Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 443-8000; Chino Valle Ranger District (928) 777-2200; Verde Ranger District (928) 567-4121

Coconino National Forest - www.fs.usda.gov/coconino <http://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino>

Kaibab National Forest - www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab <http://www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab>

Prescott National Forest - www.fs.usda.gov/prescott <http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott>

Tonto National Forest - www.fs.usda.gov/tonto <http://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto>