Fire Restrictions Return

Phoenix, ARIZ -- Effective April 19th, campfire and smoking restrictions went into effect across a large portion of southeast Arizona. Thanks to late spring storms, the earliest fire restrictions in Arizonas history were short-lived. However, fire season never went away, it was merely delayed several weeks. Last years record levels of fine fuels coupled with the fact that the high country saw a reduced snow pack with drought conditions continuing over much of Arizona equals a very high potential for large wildfires, stated Pam McAlpin, BLM State Fire Management Officer. Interagency fire officials still worry about the threat of wildfire across every corner of the state this fire season. Because of this statewide high fire potential and dry fuel conditions, campfire and smoking restrictions go into effect, or are in effect on the following public lands: * Year-around fire restrictions along the Colorado River are in effect within the Imperial, Cibola, Bill Williams River, and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service * Beginning April 15th, all pubic lands administered by the Yuma and Lake Havasu BLM Field offices, and beginning April 19th, * The Coronado National Forest * Saguaro National Monument * All BLM lands administered by the Safford and Tucson Field offices. * Arizona State Trust Lands within Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Pima Counties. For detailed information concerning agency restrictions, please contact the nearest land management agency office where you plan to work or play. The 4,000-acre February Fire, which quickly spread down a portion of the Mogollon Rim earlier this spring, is just one indicator of what this fire season holds in store for Arizona. We must be careful in the open spaces, around rural communities, in the back country recreation areas, and this year once again in the forests of Arizona. In addition, our cities are expanding into what was previously wild land and the potential risk for fires in these areas is also extremely high, stated McAlpin. For further information on restrictions and other information, visit websites www.azfireinfo.com, gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/, or call toll free 1-877-864-6985.