Fire Restrictions and Site Closure Resources

With numerous recreational opportunities spreading across six national forests in Arizona, five national forests, and a national grassland in New Mexico, there's a lot to see and do. Still, as we prepare for the adventure ahead, it's essential to know the current Fire Restrictions and Site Closures and whether any are in place.

Below, you will find information and online tools to help you understand what to expect before you travel.

Southwest Fire Map: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/aa9ff369dd414b74b69b696b40a1d057

USDA Forest Service Order Map:

https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Embed/index.html?webmap=95baf7a28d8a4a84a30c75c6738d2824&extent=-108.0791,35.0537,-103.8466,36.7181&home=true&zoom=true&scale=true&details=true&legend=true&active_panel=legend&basemap_gallery=true&disable_scroll=false&theme=light

Visitor Map - USFS Lands App

Visitor Map - USFS Lands App

Explore the great outdoors by visiting America’s backyard -- 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. Find your perfect spot on these expansive lands that include more than 4,300 campgrounds and 158,000 miles of trails, including 31,900 miles on pristine wilderness areas.

Let us know what you think of this app.

More about Fire Restrictions and Closures

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Prohibitions

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove other than in a developed campsite or picnic area is prohibited. Exemptions include persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off.

2. Smoking is prohibited unless it is within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site/improved site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

3. The discharge or use of any fireworks and incendiary devices is prohibited.

4. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch device with an open flame is prohibited.

Exemptions:

1. Any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty.

2. All land within a city boundary is exempt unless otherwise stated in the city ordinance.

   
   

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Prohibitions

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, including fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites, is prohibited. Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off are permitted. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, is prohibited.

3. Discharging a firearm except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations is prohibited.

4. Mechanical and Industrial prohibitions:

   1. Operating any internal combustion engine.

   2. No chainsaw use from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M.

   3. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

   4. Using an explosive.

Exemptions:

1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act. This process can be utilized in cases where public works and public utility emergency repairs are necessary.

2. Industrial operations where specific operations and exemptions are identified and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.

3. Operating generators with an approved spark-arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building, or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.

4. Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads, so long as you park in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.

5. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where a written posted notice specifically authorizes the activity.

6. Any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force or other authorized personnel in the performance of an official duty.

7. All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.

   
   

Closure Exemptions

1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.

2. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where a written posted notice specifically authorizes the activity.

3. Any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, or other authorized personnel in the performance of an official duty.

4. All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated in the city ordinance.

Stage 3 Fire Restrictions - Closure

1. Forest Closure: The primary feature of Stage 3 is a complete ban on public entry into the affected areas.

2. No Access: This includes roads, trails, campsites, and any other areas within the closed zone.

3. No Activities: No recreational activities, such as camping, hiking, or even accessing water sources, are permitted.

4. Important Projects Cease: Even work on forest restoration, timber thinning, and trail maintenance is halted during a closure.

5. Rare and Serious: Stage 3 restrictions are only implemented in the most severe fire danger situations and are intended to minimize the risk of human-caused fires, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (.gov).

Additional Information about area ALERTS:

Arizona

Apache Sitgreaves NFS/ White Mountains of Arizona: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/apache-sitgreaves/alerts

1. Alpine Ranger District Address: P.O. Box 469, 42634 Hwy. 180/191, Alpine , AZ 85920, Phone: (928) 339-5000

2. Black Mesa Ranger Districts Address: P.O. Box 968, 2748 East AZ 260, Overgaard, AZ 85933, Phone: (928) 535-7300

3. Clifton Ranger District

   Address: 397240 AZ 75 Duncan, AZ 85534, Phone: (928) 687-8600

4. Lakeside Ranger District

   Address: 2022 W White Mtn. Bl. Lakeside, AZ 85929, Phone: (928) 368-2100

5. Springerville Ranger District

   Address: 30 S. Chiricahua Drive Springerville, AZ 85938, Phone: (928) 333-6200

6. State Trust land, please call the Land Department's Public Desk at 602-542-4632.

7. White Mountain Apache Reservation, please call (928) 338-5425.

Coconino National Forest: Phone: (928) 527-3600

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/alerts

Coronado National Forest: Phone: (520) 388-8300

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/alerts

Prescott National Forest: Phone: (928) 443-8000

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/prescott/alerts

Kaibab National Forest: Phone: (928) 635-8200

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/kaibab/alerts

Tonto NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/tonto/alerts

1. Cave Creek Ranger Station

   Address: 40202 North Cave Creek Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85262, Phone: (480) 595-3300

2. Globe Ranger Station

   Address: 7680 S. Six Shooter, Canyon Rd. Globe, AZ 85501, Phone: 928-402-6200

3. Mesa Ranger Station

   Address: 5140 E Ingram St, Mesa, AZ 85205. Phone: (480) 610-3300

4. Payson Ranger Station

   Address: 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541, Phone: (928) 474-7900

5. Tonto Basin Ranger Station

   Address: 28079 N. AZ Highway 188, Roosevelt, AZ 85545, Phone: (602) 225-5395

New Mexico

1. Carson NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/alerts

2. Cibola NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts

3. Coronado NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/alerts

4. Gila NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts

5. Kiowa NG: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts

6. Lincoln NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/alerts

7. Sante Fe NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/alerts