Updated as of Tuesday, May 24, 2022 1:28 PM

Fire departments in the Greater Prescott area, as well as Yavapai County and the Prescott National Forest, will implement Stage II Fire Restrictions at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 26.

The area this affects includes the 42 square miles of the City of Prescott, and the 365 square miles of the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA), which includes the towns of Prescott Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, Chino Valley and Paulden, as well as the lands on the Prescott National Forest, according to news releases from Prescott Fire Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Tom Knapp, CAFMA Fire Marshal Rick Chase, and the Prescott National Forest.

CAFMA’s jurisdiction also applies to areas surrounding the City of Prescott such as Williamson Valley, upper Copper Basin Road, the Mountain Club area, Ponderosa Park off of White Spar Road, and the Senator Highway area of Karen Drive, Sweet Acres, and Oak Knoll Village along with the areas of Government Canyon and Diamond Valley that are south of Prescott.

For Yavapai County, Board of Supervisors Chair Mary Mallory signed the interim order prohibiting the sale and use of fireworks; enacting Stage 2 Fire Restrictions; and ordering an Outdoor Fire Ban, to protect the public, infrastructure, and environment across all fire zones in Yavapai County.

The Prescott Fire Department and CAFMA will enact Stage II Fire Restrictions on Thursday morning, consistent with the Prescott National Forest and the unincorporated areas of Yavapai County areas not protected by fire districts or area fire departments.

“These restrictions will stay in effect until we receive significant rain throughout the area to justify lifting these restrictions,” authorities stated. “Please have a safe summer” and visit their websites at www.cazfire.org, http://www.prescott-az.gov/services/fire/ or https://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott for more information.

Stage I - which began in early May 2022:

• NO residential burn permits will be issued.

• Use of model rockets is PROHIBITED.

• Use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays are PROHIBITED except upon approval of a pyrotechnics permit.

• NO smoking outside of vehicles, outside of residential yards, or outside of designated smoking areas.

• NO outdoor use of firearms.

• Cooking, warming, or camp fires (ash or ember producing) ARE ALLOWED at single and multi-family residential properties and Town parks (where approved) but MUST BE attended at all times.

Stage II - which begin May 26, 2022:

• NO burn permits will be issued-residential or commercial.

• Use of model rockets is PROHIBITED.

• Use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays are PROHIBITED except upon approval of a pyrotechnics permit.

• NO smoking outside of vehicles, outside of residential yards, or outside of designated smoking areas.

• NO outdoor use of firearms.

• Welding, cutting and grinding is PROHIBITED; permission may be granted under special circumstances and repair situations as approved by the Fire Marshal. (See below.)

• Chain saws are allowed with a spark arrestor, water or fire extinguisher and a fire watch.

• Warming fires, camp fires, as well as charcoal and wood burning barbecues (ember and ash producing) are PROHIBITED in all locations. This also prohibits the use of other devices that produce open flame such as tiki lamps.

• The use of propane, natural gas or other gas flame-producing barbeque cooking grills or fire pits MAY BE USED as long as they are constantly attended, are in an enclosed device, and can be turned off.

Note about welding, cutting and grinding: Under Stage II fire restrictions, any outdoor spark or flame producing activity, including welding, cutting, and grinding shall require the following:

• A Fire Department permit for a specific time period, location, and activity granting permission to conduct such activity in a safe manner.

• A fire watch: an individual with the sole purpose of watching for any sparks and/or ignition.

• Firefighting tool(s) such as a shovel.

• Approved water supply available from a hose, water truck, etc.

Also, the following will help prevent a wildfire from starting:

• Do NOT dispose of smoking materials by tossing them from your vehicle.

• Make sure your trailer’s tow chains are secure and not loose, allowing them to drag; twist the chain slightly so it is raised from the pavement when attached to the vehicle.

• Create defensible space on your property and around your house. (See below.) Firefighters will first defend structures they can save, and not put themselves in danger.

According to firewise.org, wildfire doesn’t have to burn everything in its path. In fact, cleaning your property of debris and maintaining your landscaping are important first steps to helping minimize damage and loss.

The work you do today can make a difference. Follow these simple action steps now and throughout the year to prepare and help reduce the risk of your home and property becoming fuel for a wildfire:

• Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This prevents embers from igniting your home.

• Remove dead vegetation from under your deck and within 10 feet of the house.

• Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

• Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.

• Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks, dry vegetation) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch.

• Wildfire can spread to tree tops. If you have trees on your property, prune so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground.

• Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.

• Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.

• Inspect shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair those that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration.

• Cover exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home.

• Enclose under-eave and soffit vents or screen with metal mesh to prevent ember entry.

Learn more about how to keep your family safe and reduce your home’s risk for wildfire damage at www.firewise.org.

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