Navajo County Emergency Management will be implementing countywide Stage 2 fire restrictions starting at midnight on Monday, May 4.
After speaking members of the White Mountain Fire Restrictions Working Group, Navajo County Emergency Management and Preparedness has made the decision to enter into Stage 2 Fire Restrictions throughout unincorporated areas of Navajo County. In addition, other area jurisdictions will also be entering into Stage 2 Fire Restrictions this Friday.
The following acts are prohibited until further notice:
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
Smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle or building.
Outdoor mechanical and industrial prohibitions:
- Operating any internal combustion engine in the course of mechanical or industrial operations that would produce open flames or sparks.
- Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
- Using an explosive.
Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.
Use of any and all fireworks.
Use of explosive targets.
Use of tracer round ammunition.
There are exemptions but they do not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity. Exemptions include:
* Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
* Industrial operations where specific operations and exemptions are identified and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.
* Persons operating internal combustion engines with spark arrestors such as lawnmowers and landscaping equipment in maintained landscaped space.
* Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame in an enclosed or developed area designated for that purpose that is equipped with appropriate fire protection.
* Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
* Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.
* Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails so long as you park in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.
* Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.
* Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
* Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official.
* All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.
“After evaluating the criteria such as the ground fuel moisture, weather forecasts and availability of resources, it is time to enter into more aggressive stage of restrictions,” Interim Emergency Management Director Catrina Jenkins said. “These restrictions are put into place to maintain the safety of our forests, homes and communities.”
Other agencies throughout the region will also be or already have entered into restrictions. Make sure you know the rules for what is allowed before you ignite any campfires. Check regional information by visiting www.311info.net. You can also check nationwide restriction information at www.firerestrictions.us. Remember “Know before you go!”
Conditions similar to what we are experiencing now are historically seen in the summer months. Forest conditions are drier at this point in the year than they have ever been in recorded history.
