FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution today that prohibits the sale and use of consumer fireworks in unincorporated areas of the County.
The action taken Friday immediately bans the sale and use of consumer fireworks on unincorporated areas of the County and is in effect until the U.S. Forest Service lifts Stage 1 fire restrictions.
“The Board has heard from countless residents who are concerned about what is likely to be an active fire season,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Ryan. “Our residents are all too familiar with the devastating impact wildfires have on our forests, property and economy. By approving this resolution banning the use of fireworks, the Board hopes to thwart the next wildfire.”
The Board approved the resolution under a new law signed Tuesday by Gov. Jan Brewer that grants counties under 500,000 people the authority to regulate the sale and use of fireworks when area forests enter into Stage 1 fire restrictions. Until signing the current law, counties could only regulate the use of consumer fireworks during a reasonable risk of wildfire.
On April 18, the U.S. Forest Service enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions on several area-National Forests, including the Coconino, Prescott, Tonto, Apache-Sitgreaves and parts of the Kaibab National Forest. Similar fire restrictions also went into effect within the City of Flagstaff and at all county parks.
The resolution prohibits the use of permissible consumer fireworks, including but not limited to firecrackers, fountains, skyrockets and bottle rockets, snakes, sparklers and others that are designed to produce visible or audible effects through combustion.
In addition to area Stage 1 restrictions, the following limitations are in place at all public County parks:
• Camping is permitted only in designated campgrounds at Fort Tuthill County Park.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited outdoors and only allowed in designated areas and/or in enclosed vehicles.
• Parking is prohibited on grassy forested areas and allowed in designated parking areas.
• Open fires are prohibited. This includes campfires, charcoal grills, torches, fireworks and candles. Only liquid gas stoves are permitted in improved areas (cleared of all vegetation, typically on a cinder or gravel surface).
Fire restrictions will be in effect at all County Parks and Recreation Department public parks, including Fort Tuthill County Park south of Flagstaff, Louise Yellowman County Park in Tuba City, Peaks View Park, Raymond County Park in Kachina Village and Sawmill Multicultural Art and Nature Park in Flagstaff.
Residents are asked to use caution when considering whether to engage in any activity that could spark a fire. Residents and visitors are reminded that they can be held legally responsible for causing any wildfire.