FLAGSTAFF — Due to the ongoing unusual fire season in northern Arizona, the Coconino National Forest currently has no fire restrictions, other than a year-round ban already in place.
“It’s been a really weird year in that we don’t have fire controls in place right now,” said Randy Shaffer, deputy public affairs officer for the U.S. Forest Service.
Currently, in addition to the existing year-round camping and campfire bans, only small areas are closed around the three wildfires that are currently burning. border It was extended in May to reduce man-made fires.
Meteorologist Reggie Rokes of the National Weather Service in Flagstaff attributes this year’s unusual fire season to the region’s record winter snowfall, followed by widespread meltwater and prolonged showers.
This allowed enough moisture in the area to prevent wildfire fuel from drying out prematurely, he said.
Every year, this area usually Complete Fire Restriction for Stage 2 By this point in the season, Shaffer said.
“We’re usually in places that don’t allow campfires at dispersed camps, or campfires at campsites,” she said.
Rangers are still patrolling the forest, though authorities continue to conduct publicity campaigns to educate people accustomed to camping in the newly off-limits area.
Shaffer stresses that careful camping, including extinguishing campfires and setting off carefully to avoid touching fires, is still important to keep areas safe and fire-free.
“Just because there are no real fire regulations doesn’t mean the best practice of having a campfire in the woods still doesn’t apply,” she says.
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