Sedona Area Imposes Stage 1 Fire Restrictions as Fire Risk Rises

As summer approaches, fire authorities are tightening restrictions in the Sedona area. On May 30, the Sedona Fire District, in conjunction with the Coconino National Forest and Yavapai County, instituted Stage 1 fire restrictions.

Just a day prior, the Prescott National Forest had announced similar measures. These restrictions respond to rapidly drying wildland fuels and an increased fire risk anticipated for June. Notably, discharging firearms is banned, while fireworks remain prohibited across all national forests.

In the region, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Red Rock State Park, and additional sites within the Verde Valley have implemented Stage 2 restrictions. State trust lands across Arizona, excluding those in Coconino County, are also under Stage 2 fire restrictions, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

Stage 1 restrictions in the Sedona area prohibit the use of fires, including campfires and stove fires, unless in developed recreation sites designated by the U.S. Forest Service. Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles or specific developed areas on USFS-managed lands.

Kirk Riddell, Deputy Fire Marshal of the Sedona Fire District, indicated that the district isn’t likely to escalate to Stage 2 restrictions soon, largely depending on precipitation and monitoring conditions in the Coconino National Forest. “If they detect increased fire activity, especially from unattended campfires, that could trigger a transition to Stage 2,” he stated.

Despite recent rainfall, Riddell confirmed that restrictions remain in place. He expressed skepticism about the longevity of the wet weather, anticipating a return to dry conditions shortly thereafter.

The National Weather Service forecasted a 30% chance of rain for June 4, followed by temperatures rising to 98 degrees Fahrenheit by June 8.

Residents are permitted to maintain warming fires on private property, constrained to a maximum diameter of three feet and height of two feet, using only dried wood. “Open campfires outside designated campgrounds are not allowed,” Riddell emphasized, calling for responsible fire management.

Riddell also addressed concerns regarding smoking during Stage 1 restrictions. He noted that while smoking in urban areas poses less risk, smoking is prohibited in forested regions. “In town, use common sense,” he advised.

Burn permitting by the Sedona Fire District closed on May 30 and will remain suspended until the fall, when officials will reevaluate the program.

Stage 1 allowances include petroleum-fueled devices that meet safety standards, charcoal grills with tight-fitting lids, and recreational firearm use, though there are variations between areas. For instance, the Prescott National Forest prohibits the discharge of any firearms under Stage 1, while Coconino allows it with a hunting permit.

For further details, individuals can reach out to the U.S. Forest Service Fire Restrictions Hotline at (928) 226-4607 or visit yavapaiready.gov/fireban.