FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — After consultation with the United States Forest Service (USFS), areas of Coconino County within the boundaries of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest will remove fire restrictions effective Friday, July 17, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.
This decision, according to Coconino County’s Wildfire Defense Ordinance, applies to all private property within, and adjacent to, the boundaries of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
Other areas of the County remain under the following fire restrictions:
- Stage 2 Restrictions – Coconino National Forest – All unincorporated lands within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest. This area is also under partial closures due to recent wildfires.
- Stage 1 Restrictions – Kaibab National Forest – All unincorporated lands within the boundaries of the Kaibab National Forest.
Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Decisions about fire restrictions are a collaborative effort with area land management entities and are based on a combination of carefully measured factors. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought and available firefighting resources.
During Stage 1 restrictions, igniting, building, maintaining or using fire fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes and/or coal is strictly prohibited, except within a developed site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or a developed site. The use of tracer or incendiary rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also strictly prohibited.
Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed only in a developed site.
During Stage 2 restrictions, igniting, building, maintaining or using a fire fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes and/or coal is strictly prohibited. Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed only in a developed site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or a developed site. Additional prohibitions include the use of internal combustion engines for common household-only activities, such as landscaping or property maintenance and repair unless they are equipped with a spark arresting device. Stage 2 also prohibits welding and/or the use of acetylene or other torches with an open flame. The use of tracer or incendiary rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also strictly prohibited.
A developed site is defined in the County’s Wildfire Defense Ordinance as an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding vegetation and combustible materials within a 15-foot radius of the device.
The public is reminded to always be extra cautious when recreating on public lands, regardless of restrictions. Violations could result in fines and/or jail time.
For information on Coconino County’s Stage 1, 2 and 3 fire restrictions please visit coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions.
Additional information about the stages of fire restrictions, Forest Orders, and general forest conditions are available for the Kaibab National Forest at fs.usda.gov/kaibab and the Coconino National Forest at fs.usda.gov/coconino.