PHOENIX — Warm temperatures and dry conditions are prompting officials to initiate fire restrictions on state trust lands throughout central Arizona.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said the Stage 1 restrictions will go into effect Thursday at 8 a.m. to curb the chances of wildfire activity in the coming days.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Restricciones de fuegos en vigor mañana para los condados Maricopa y Pinal
The restrictions include the following:
- No smoking unless inside a car or building
- No fireworks
- No welding or use of other torch devices with an open flame
- No fire activity unless within a designated campsite or picnic area
The rules only apply to the state trust lands and parks located in the unincorporated areas of Gila, Maricopa and Pinal counties. The western region of Pinal County has experienced a significantly high number of fires so far this year.
All land within a city boundary is exempt from the fire restrictions unless otherwise stated in a city ordinance.
The restrictions will remain in effect until the agency rescinds them.
UP TO SPEED
Wildfire Go-Kit:
Residents in wildfire-prone areas are urged to have an emergency supplies kit to bring with them of they are evacuated from their homes, especially as Arizona residents are beginning to see early widespread fire activity throughout the state.
An emergency supply kit should be put together long before a wildfire or another disaster occurs. Make sure to keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that residents near a disaster store emergency supplies in a plastic tub, small suitcase, trash can, backpack, or other containers.
Residents should make sure they have the necessities, such as three gallons of water per person and a three-day supply of ready-to-eat food, the NFPA said. A first-aid kit, prescription medications, contact lenses, and non-prescription drugs should also be taken into account.
Copies of any important family documents, including insurance policies, identification, bank account records, and emergency contact numbers should also be taken and put into a waterproof, portable container in your kit, the NFPA said.
The association lists other items that would help in a disaster, including:
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA weather radio to receive up-to-date information
- Dust mask or cotton T-shirt to filter the air
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Complete change of clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sturdy shoes stored in a waterproof container
- Signal flare
The entire NFPA checklist of supplies can be found here.
