Wildfire Danger Increasing

With wildfire danger in Arizona increasing because of higher temperatures and lower humidity, the state's land managers have begun the first major public land restrictions this year. Restrictions on the nearly 3-million-acre Tonto National Forest in central Arizona went into effect Thursday, and the 120,000 acres of Maricopa County's ten-park system will be under a fire ban starting Monday. Phoenix mountain parks also banned open fires starting Monday. R.J. Cardin, director of Maricopa County Parks and Recreation, said the fire bans in county parks are going into effect a couple weeks earlier than last year, citing the wet winter that produced tall grasses that are now dry.

Campfire and smoking restrictions go into effect on the Prescott National Forest beginning Wednesday, May 14, at 8 a.m. Forest managers determined that key trigger points have been reached to warrant taking restrictive actions. Trigger points include increased forest visitor use, abandoned campfires, high winds and rising temperatures. The following fire restrictions will be in effect for the entire Prescott National Forest:

• Campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires of wood, charcoal, and coal are prohibited on all Forest lands, roads, and trails; except within developed recreation sites where grills and campfire rings are provided. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed.

• Smoking is prohibited except within enclosed vehicles, buildings, or developed recreation sites where the area is cleared of all flammable material.

• Campfires are not allowed at the designated dispersed sites within the Prescott Basin. Metal posts identify designated dispersed sites with a number.

• Campfire and smoking restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both. The public is reminded that fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands.

For current information on fire restrictions, closures or wildfires on the Prescott National Forest, call (928) 777-5799. For further information about fire restrictions on public lands in Arizona and New Mexico, call toll free 1-877-864-6985 or visit http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/.

Nationally, the wildfire season is well underway, with total acreage burned (1,370,160 acres) nearly double the 10-year average (791,759). Wildfires in central Florida have forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes. Officials say high winds, dry conditions and high temperatures are expected to fuel the flames Monday. The fires have burned thousands of acres. Daytona Beach spokeswoman Susan Cerbone (ser-BOHN') says about 500 homes there have been evacuated. Hundreds more homes in neighboring Brevard County are also under evacuation because of the smoke and flames.