The Coconino County Board of Supervisors today approved an emergency resolution to ban open burning on public and private lands in the unincorporated areas of Coconino County. The ban will take effect on Saturday, June 11, at 10:00 a.m. and will remain in effect until fire danger conditions subside.
The ban includes all open fires, campfires, consumer fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays on private and public lands in the unincorporated areas of the County. Exempted from the ban are petroleum-fueled stoves or lanterns, enclosed charcoal barbeque grills operated in residential yards, and special events specifically approved by the Board of Supervisors.
The Board’s decision to impose the ban is based on a determination made by the United States Forest Service that high fire danger exists in Coconino County. The determination is based on red flag warnings, increasingly high energy release component and a measurement of the fuel moisture, relative humidity and temperature. The Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage 1 fire restrictions.
The use of any machinery that may emit sparks, such as chainsaws and welding equipment, should be used with caution during the extreme fire danger period. The County is urging individuals to be prepared and have fire extinguishing equipment readily available. The county also reminds citizens to use caution when smoking cigarettes outdoors and to completely extinguish cigarettes.
A copy of the resolution is attached. For more information, call Paul Hellenberg, Interim Coconino County Emergency Services Manager, at (928) 679-8310.T