PHOENIX – Fire restrictions in Maricopa County’s regional parks will be extended through October due to dry conditions and moisture restrictions from the monsoon season.
The restrictions will last until Oct. 31, according to the Maricopa County Department of Parks and Recreation. It was announced on Thursday.
Visitors to the park will be prohibited from using all campfires, fire pits, and charcoal grills. Smoking outside of cars and campers is also prohibited.
Gas and propane grills can still be used in designated areas.
“Triple-digit temperatures and a dry monsoon season create the perfect environment for wildfires to spread rapidly and pose a threat to communities across Maricopa County,” Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers said in a press release. I’m creating it,” he said. “Let’s each do our part to stay safe and prevent fires.”
Three wildfires affected parks in the county this summer. In June, railroad construction caused the Rose Fire, which burned about 100 acres in the Hassayampa River Preserve. The park was temporarily closed and had to be evacuated.
McDowell Mountain Regional Park suffered more than 1,000 acres of damage from the Gate and McDowell fires. Other close calls occurred near Sparkcross Ranch Preserve and Cave Creek Regional Park, the county said.
Restrictions on the use of fire began on May 1st.
Which Maricopa County Regional Parks are affected by the ban?
- Adobe Dam Regional Park
- Buckeye Hills Regional Park
- Cave Creek Regional Park
- Estrella Mountain Regional Park
- Hassayampa River Reserve
- Lake Pleasant Regional Park
- McDowell Mountain Regional Park
- San Tan Mountain Regional Park
- Sparkcross Ranch Reserve
- Usary Regional Mountain Park
- White Tank Mountain Regional Regional Park
