Due to increased fire danger and for public safety, the Kaibab National Forest will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions forest wide beginning 8 a.m. Friday, June 21. A temporary area closure will also be implemented for the Bill Williams Mountain watershed, located just south of the City of Williams, due to the area’s susceptibility to uncharacteristically severe wildfire and the post-wildfire flooding that would potentially result.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following:
Building, maintaining, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal, coal, and briquettes, even in developed recreation sites. This includes smudge pots, pellet grills, and wood stoves. The only exception is using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.
Smoking (except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material).
Blasting, welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
During the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire. An exception is allowed for operating generators with an approved spark arrestor in an area barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator.
Explosives and fireworks are NEVER allowed.
The Kaibab National Forest’s Stage 2 fire restrictions do not prohibit target shooting. However, all existing regulations pertaining to discharging a firearm still apply.
In general, the perimeter of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed temporary closure area includes Forest Road 122 to the south, Forest Road 108 to the west, County Road 73 (aka “South Road”) to the east, and Interstate 40 to the north. Details, including a map of the closure area, will be available on the Kaibab NF website www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab.
Violations could result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines, and/or jail time.
Forest managers consider several factors before implementing fire restrictions or forest closures, including current fire danger and fire activity, local, regional, and national fire preparedness levels, expected weather conditions, availability of firefighting resources, and the economic impacts on businesses and communities. The Kaibab National Forest continues to coordinate with federal, state, tribal and local partners.
Restrictions and closures typically remain in effect until the area receives significant, widespread precipitation.
For restriction information on state and federally managed lands in Arizona, visit wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions. Find restriction information for Coconino County at coconino.az.gov/2595/Fire-Restriction-Information.
