Fire Restrictions and Site Closure Resources
- Jason DeGraff
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
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:
Visitor Map - USFS Lands App
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More about Fire Restrictions and Closures


Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Prohibitions
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.
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.
The discharge or use of any fireworks and incendiary devices is prohibited.
Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch device with an open flame is prohibited.
Exemptions:
Any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty.
All land within a city boundary is exempt unless otherwise stated in the city ordinance.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Prohibitions
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.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, is prohibited.
Discharging a firearm except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations is prohibited.
Mechanical and Industrial prohibitions:
Operating any internal combustion engine.
No chainsaw use from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M.
Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
Using an explosive.
Exemptions:
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.
Industrial operations where specific operations and exemptions are identified and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.
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.
Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads, so long as you park in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.
Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where a written posted notice specifically authorizes the activity.
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.
All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.
Closure Exemptions
Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where a written posted notice specifically authorizes the activity.
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.
All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated in the city ordinance.
Stage 3 Fire Restrictions - Closure
Forest Closure: The primary feature of Stage 3 is a complete ban on public entry into the affected areas.
No Access: This includes roads, trails, campsites, and any other areas within the closed zone.
No Activities: No recreational activities, such as camping, hiking, or even accessing water sources, are permitted.
Important Projects Cease: Even work on forest restoration, timber thinning, and trail maintenance is halted during a closure.
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
Alpine Ranger District Address: P.O. Box 469, 42634 Hwy. 180/191, Alpine , AZ 85920, Phone: (928) 339-5000
Black Mesa Ranger Districts Address: P.O. Box 968, 2748 East AZ 260, Overgaard, AZ 85933, Phone: (928) 535-7300
Clifton Ranger District
Address: 397240 AZ 75 Duncan, AZ 85534, Phone: (928) 687-8600
Lakeside Ranger District
Address: 2022 W White Mtn. Bl. Lakeside, AZ 85929, Phone: (928) 368-2100
Springerville Ranger District
Address: 30 S. Chiricahua Drive Springerville, AZ 85938, Phone: (928) 333-6200
State Trust land, please call the Land Department's Public Desk at 602-542-4632.
White Mountain Apache Reservation, please call (928) 338-5425.
Coconino National Forest: Phone: (928) 527-3600
Coronado National Forest: Phone: (520) 388-8300
Prescott National Forest: Phone: (928) 443-8000
Kaibab National Forest: Phone: (928) 635-8200
Tonto NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/tonto/alerts
Cave Creek Ranger Station
Address: 40202 North Cave Creek Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85262, Phone: (480) 595-3300
Globe Ranger Station
Address: 7680 S. Six Shooter, Canyon Rd. Globe, AZ 85501, Phone: 928-402-6200
Mesa Ranger Station
Address: 5140 E Ingram St, Mesa, AZ 85205. Phone: (480) 610-3300
Payson Ranger Station
Address: 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541, Phone: (928) 474-7900
Tonto Basin Ranger Station
Address: 28079 N. AZ Highway 188, Roosevelt, AZ 85545, Phone: (602) 225-5395
New Mexico
Carson NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/alerts
Cibola NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts
Coronado NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/alerts
Gila NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts
Lincoln NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/alerts
Sante Fe NFS: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/alerts
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