The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) put in place Stage 2 fire restrictions Tuesday, May 12, according to a release.
“Fire restrictions are a tool many agencies use to restrict activities known to be the most common causes of wildfires,” a May 11 news release stated. “Continued dry conditions and an increase in wildfire activity throughout Arizona have led agencies to implement fire restrictions. Preventing wildfires keeps communities and firefighters safe; reducing their risk and exposure to injury, smoke, and disease.”
The news release added that if weather conditions improve, and the risk of wildfires has been reduced, fire restrictions will be removed, and lawful activities may continue.
A violation of posted restrictions could result in citations, fines, jail time or reimbursement of the cost to extinguish the fire and/or rehabilitate the fire area, the news released added.