Additional Fire Restrictions in Lower Elevations - More to Follow

Phoenix, ARIZ --- Effective May 11, 2006, campfire and smoking restrictions went into effect on the Prescott National Forest and the Phoenix District of the Bureau of Land Management. Although fire activity has been light, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of fire starts and conditions are now to the point where ignitions have the potential of becoming large wildfires in many of the lower elevation areas of Arizona. Weather forecasters are predicting the southwestern United States will remain dry and warm with critical fire weather conditions possible in the next several days. These are days when winds increase and the temperatures remain high, fuels are dry, and low humidity remains, thus increasing the chance of wildfire spread and an increased chance of dangerous fire behavior. Fifteen units in Arizona are reporting high to very high fire danger. Because of this very high fire potential and dry fuel conditions, beginning tomorrow, the following campfire and smoking restrictions are in effect: ¢ The Coronado, Tonto, and Prescott National Forests (the Apache-Sitgreaves implemented on May 15th), ¢ Arizona State Trust Lands within Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma Counties (Apache and Navajo Counties are scheduled to go into restrictions with the Apache-Sitgreaves on May 15th), ¢ Arizona State Game and Fish Wildlife Management Areas, ¢ San Carlos Apache Reservation 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, ¢ All pubic lands administered by the Yuma, Lake Havasu, Safford, Tucson, and Phoenix BLM Field offices, and ¢ Saguaro National Monument, Fire conditions as well as localized closures and restrictions are subject to change. Because tribal, federal, state, and local mandates are different, there may have some differences in their restriction notices. For a more detailed explanation concerning agency restrictions, please contact the nearest land management agency office where you plan to work or play or visit websites www.azfireinfo.com, gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/, or call toll free 1-877-864-6985.