Restrictions

There are different stages of fire restrictions, which become more restrictive as the stages progress from Stage 1 to Stage 3 (Forest Closure). The following is a general explanation of the restrictions in each stage on the Coconino National Forest only (other national forests may include additional elements of restrictions). Also, this is a general explanation, so please check our Alerts Page for the latest details on specific fire restrictions.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

   During Stage 1, the following is prohibited AT ALL TIMES:

1. Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes. This includes smudge pots.
2. Smoking outside (see Exemptions #3 below).

   Exemptions during Stage 1:

1. Using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.
2. Having a campfire within a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area (Developed Recreation Site).
3. Smoking within an enclosed vehicle or building, a Developed Recreation Site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
4. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

   During Stage 2, the following is prohibited AT ALL TIMES:

1. Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes anywhere within Coconino National Forest, including Developed Recreation Sites. This prohibition also includes smudge pots and wood stoves.
2. Smoking outside (see Exemptions #4 below).
3. Blasting, welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
4. Within the Flagstaff Ranger District specifically:
   • Motorized vehicles are prohibited on specific forest roads near the San Francisco Peaks area, Pumphouse Wash area, and Marshall Lake area. Click on the links to see the maps that show details. Using these roads to hike, bike, and walk is still allowed. Only motorized vehicles are prohibited.

• FROM  9 AM to 8 PM:

1. 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. (See Exemptions #3 below).

   Exemptions during Stage 2:

1. Residents using motorized vehicles on the Forest Roads listed under motorized restriction to the extent necessary to access their private property.
2. Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
3. Using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.
4. Smoking within an enclosed vehicle or building, a Developed Recreation Site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
5. Persons operating generators with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the generator.
6. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.

Stage 3 Fire Restrictions - Forest Closure

During Stage 3, or "Forest Closure," ALL ENTRY IS PROHIBITED due to the extreme fire danger. At times, National Forests may close specific geographic areas--referred to as "Area Closures"--or the entire forest. Wherever a closure is implemented, the public cannot enter any National Forest lands, roads, or trails. Important projects cease in those areas, meaning work comes to a complete stop for things such as forest restoration, timber thinning, watershed preservation and restoration, trails and forest road maintenance, campsite maintenance, and post-fire restoration. During full forest closures, there is no accessing lakes, streams, creeks or ponds--including Oak Creek Canyon and popular destinations operating under special use permits.

Fireworks are never allowed on any national forest lands at any time.

Permanent fire restrictions (including campfire restrictions) exist year-round in the following areas:

• Fossil Creek
• Flagstaff city limits and just outside of city limits on national forest land (except in developed campgrounds and recreation areas)
• Pumphouse Wash and Kelly Pocket area (south of Flagstaff)
• Red Rock Country, Oak Creek Canyon, Wet Beaver Creek and West Sedona (except in developed campgrounds and recreation areas)

Please view our Forest Alerts for more information.

Be aware that not all campfires you see may be illegal. During Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, visitors CAN use a stove, grill or fire ring solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels (aka Propane), as well as have a regular campfire in Developed Recreation Sites under certain conditions.  During Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, the same applies except the campfire prohibition extends to any campfires in Developed Recreation Sites. However, if you witness an illegal campfire or other restriction violation and want to report it, here are some tips for what to do and what happens after you call:

1. Call the Coconino NF Dispatch Center at 928-527-3552 or Coconino County Sheriff's non-emergency number at 928-774-4523, extension 1.
2. Provide your name and phone number in case they need to call you back to clarify location.
3. Provide your location of the illegal campfire as specifically as possible. Refer to Forest Road numbers, estimated mileage from main road intersections and/or geographic landmarks. If you're carrying a smartphone, find your latitude and longitude to report. Many apps have this feature, including the "compass" app on iPhone. Example: "I’m on Forest Road 171 about a mile south of the junction with Forest Road 245. Coordinates are 34.29191667, -110.8677056."
4. The dispatch center will then search for an available emergency responder from the Forest Service, Sheriff's Office, or Arizona Game & Fish. Calls and incidents are prioritized due to the large number of requests for many different types of emergencies. If they are unable to respond that evening, Forest Service personnel will follow-up the next morning to check the location you provided.

Fire Restriction and Red Flag Event Protocols

The Coconino National Forest uses the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) to assist in determining Preparedness Levels and when Campfire and Smoking restrictions may be implemented. Using this tool and key measurement components such as the Ignition Component, Energy Release Component, Burning Index, and more, helps Fire Managers to identify critical times when fires can become difficult to control. Check out the NWS Fire Weather Decision Support Information page for at look at some of the tools mentioned.

Beginning in April till about August, weekly conference calls are had every Monday morning between adjacent National Forests, National Parks, Tribal Fire Units, State Agencies and the National Weather Service to discuss conditions and possible fire restriction implementation. A review of operating plans, weather trends and forest conditions are reviewed by each organization, as well as the following checklist to determine future actions:

1. What is the predicted fire potential for the next several weeks?

• Is the Southwest Area 7 Day Significant Potential outlook showing “Very Dry” or more than one “High Risk” day per week?
• Is the Southwest Area Monthly Outlook showing “Above Normal” Significant Fire Potential over or near the units under consideration?

2. Is there an increase in number of fire starts? (Human vs. Natural)

3. What is the daily fire occurrence situation?

• Are there multiple starts?
• Are fire occurrences and associated control problems increasing or decreasing?

4. Are adequate fire resources available by Agency or Zone?

5. Are severity resources or funds requested/approved for local or zone agencies?

6. Is there an increase/decrease in recreational visitor days, e.g., holidays and special events expected?

7. Are social, political, or economics impacts expected?

8. Are there preparations for the next phase, whether that would be a higher level of restrictions, closures, or rescissions of an order?

9. Have you contacted the following individuals concerning area fire restrictions?

• Fire Prevention Officers
• Public Affairs/Public Information Officers
• Law Enforcement/Special Agents
• Agency Administrators|
• Zone Partners

Once these discussions are had among all the participating organizations, plans may be made to implement fire restrictions in specific areas. This weekly conference call helps to coordinate those restrictions and learn from neighboring partners about their conditions on the ground.

Restrictions and Closures

The Forest Supervisor retains the authority to issue campfire/smoking and chainsaw restrictions and will recommend issuance of area closures to the Regional Forester when conditions warrant. Examples of fire restriction and closure orders are included in the Restriction and Closure Toolbox available for use by the Forest. Districts should make recommendations or requests for restrictions and closures at least five working days prior to the recommended execution date.

As stated previously, restrictions and closures are coordinated with all adjacent Forests (Kaibab, Tonto, Prescott, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests) as well as State, County, and local cooperators.

Restriction and Closure Criteria

The Forest uses restrictions and closures as an aid in wildland fire prevention. Implementation normally occurs in four stages based upon the Fire Preparedness Level, current fire occurrence, and projected fire season duration and severity.

The usual order will be:

    A. Smoking and Campfire Restrictions
    B. Power Saw Restrictions and Industrial Fire Plan "C" (Hoot Owl)
    C. Area Closures
    D. Forest Closure

A. Smoking and Campfire Restrictions

Smoking and Campfire Restrictions limit smoking and building of open fires to designated areas. Criteria for implementing Smoking and Campfire Restrictions are:

1. The Coconino NF is in Fire Preparedness Level III or higher.

2. The following weather and fuel conditions exist and are expected to continue: (based on readings from the weather station at Flagstaff Airport)

• Temperature >70 by 1300 hours weather observation
• Relative humidity <30% by 1300 hours weather observation
• Fine fuel moisture < 5% by 1300 hours weather observation
• 10 hour fuel moisture <8% by 1300 hours weather observation
• 1000 hour fuel moisture <10% by 1300 hours weather observation

3. The following field conditions exist and are expected to continue:

• Fires that start are beginning to spot.
• There are increasing numbers of people using the Forest.
• The Forest may experience numerous fire starts on a given day.
• There is highly flammable slash adjacent to high use areas.

4. The following coordination will be completed:

• The District Ranger(s) and the Forest Fire Staff will consult when either feels the criterion for implementing Smoking and Campfire Restrictions has been reached on a Ranger District.
• If the District Ranger(s) and Forest Fire Staff agree that the restrictions should be implemented, the Forest Fire Staff will call and coordinate the application of the restrictions on the Forest with other District Rangers and adjacent Forests.
• The Forest Fire Staff will notify the Forest Supervisor of the need for implementation of the restrictions.
• The Forest Fire Staff will coordinate the implementation of restrictions with adjacent Forests and cooperators.

When all coordination has been completed, the Forest Supervisor will sign an Order implementing the restrictions on the Forest. The Public Affairs Office will issue a news release informing the public and the Dispatch Center will notify the Districts.

B. Power saw Restrictions and Industrial Fire Plan C (Hoot Owl)

The Power saw Order limits the use of power saws during critical fire danger days. The Hoot Owl shift is a very effective prevention tool because it allows industrial woods operations during early morning hours when temperatures are down and relative humidity is higher. Hoot Owl is the implementation of Industrial fire Plan "C" and can be declared by the Forest Supervisor in Preparedness Level IV and above. Some additional criteria for implementation of power saw restriction and Hoot Owl shifts are:

1. The Coconino NF is in Preparedness Level IV or higher.

2. The following weather and fuel conditions exist and are expected to continue:

a. Temperature >75 degrees by 1300 hours weather observation
b. Relative humidity <25% by 1300 hours weather observation
c. Fine fuel moisture <4% by 1300 hours weather observation
d. 10 hour fuel moisture <7% by 1300 hours weather observation
e. 1000 hour fuel moisture <9% by 1300 hours weather observation

3. The following coordination will be completed:

• The District Ranger(s) and Forest Fire Staff will consult when either feels the criteria for implementing the power saw restrictions and Hoot Owl shift have been reached on the Ranger District.
• If the District Ranger(s) and Forest Fire Staff agree that power saw restrictions and Hoot Owl shift should be implemented, the Forest Fire Staff will call and coordinate with the other District Ranger and adjacent Forests.
• When all coordination has been completed, the Forest Supervisor will sign an order implementing the power saw restrictions. The Public Affairs Officer will issue a media release and the Dispatch Center will notify the Districts.

4. Hoot Owl shift (Plan "C" Industrial Fire Plan) will be implemented for all industrial operations including commercial fuel wood sales except timber sale contracts 2400-3 and 2400-6. These two sale contracts have specific contract clauses that deal with Industrial Fire Plan based on Energy Release Component.

Special Permits or Waivers for Restrictions, and Hoot Owl Shift
District Rangers are delegated authority to grant special permits or waivers for smoking and campfire restrictions, power saw restrictions, and hoot owl shifts in writing on a case by case basis. This authority may not be re-delegated.

C. & D. Area or Forest Closures

There are two types of closures for the Forest:

1. Area Closure:
A specific area of the Forest is closed to public entry due to the risk of a wildfire starting with the potential of causing severe damage.

2. Forest Closure:
This is rare and used only when severe fire conditions exist, there are multiple large fires on the Forest or in the Region, and nearly all suppression forces available to the Region are committed to going fires. Closures are an important fire prevention tool. They will be implemented whenever needed to help prevent large fires and their accompanying damage and high suppression costs.

Some additional criteria for implementing Area Closures are:

1. The Coconino NF is in Fire Preparedness Level IV or higher.

2. The following weather and fuel conditions exist and are expected to continue:

• Temperature >75 degrees by 1300 hour weather observations
• Relative humidity <10% by 1300 hour weather observations
• Fine fuel moisture <3% by 1300 hour weather observations
• 10 hour fuel moisture <6% by 1300 hour weather observations
• 1000 hour fuel moisture <8% by 1300 hour weather observations

3. The following coordination will be completed:

• The District Ranger(s) and the Fire Staff will consult when either feels the criteria for implementing an Area Closure have been reached within a specified area.
• If the District Ranger(s) and the Forest Fire Staff agree that an Area Closure should be implemented, the Forest Fire Staff coordinates the application with all Rangers involved, adjacent Forests, and cooperators.
• The Forest Fire Staff notifies the Forest Supervisor of the need for implementation of the Area Closure.

4. When all coordination has been completed, the Forest Administrative Officer will send the Area Closure Notice to the Regional Forester for approval prior to signing by the Forest Supervisors.
The criteria for implementing a Forest Closure include:

• The Coconino National Forest is in Preparedness Level V.
• Fuel and weather conditions are the same as for an Area Closure.
• Nearly all fire suppression forces available to the Region are committed to going fires.
• Coordination and implementation actions are the same for Area Closures with the addition of implementation of "Plan D" in the Industrial Fire Plan level.
• Approval for a Forest Closure is the same as for an Area Closure and rests at the Regional Forester level.

Special Permits or Waivers for Area/Forest Closures
District Rangers are delegated authority to grant special permits or waivers for closures in writing on an individual case basis. Special requirements will normally be a part of any permit or waiver. The District Ranger must be sure that granting an entry permit or waiver does not cause an excessive risk of wildfire and it is in the best interest of the Forest to grant such a waiver or permit. The District Ranger may not re-delegate this authority.

Rescission of Restriction and Closure Orders
The same level of coordination between Districts, adjacent Forests, and the Forest Fire Staff should occur when deciding to rescind any signed orders. A general guideline is that 2/3 of the Area Closure/Forest Closure must receive 1/10th" of rain prior to rescinding a closure and 1/2" of rain prior to rescinding Smoking and Campfire Restrictions. The rescission order is signed by the Forest Supervisor. The Public Affairs office will notify the media and the Dispatch Center will notify the Districts.

Red Flag Events

A “Red Flag Event” by description, is a combination of environmental factors that by negative influence, can lead to extreme wildland fire behavior with potential for unmanageable results. The evaluation process consists of assessing unusually low relative humidities and fuel moistures, combined with above normal temperatures and sustained high winds of 25 MPH or greater during preparedness level 3 or above. At the onset of predicted critical fire weather, a methodical procedure of advisories and warnings are implemented and disseminated widely, both to the public and within the agency, emphasizing extreme fire danger and very high potential for an unwanted major wildfire occurrence. Preventive measures are typically enacted at this time. A collaborative decision between Federal and State land managers and the National Weather Service usually dictate when these conditions arise.

Red Flag Events are categorized in the following order:

• Fire Weather WATCH is issued to alert the possibility of the development of the above described conditions that (with reasonable confidence) will likely occur in the near future.

• Red Flag WARNING is issued to warn of a predicted, impending or ongoing event that will meet the criteria of a Red Flag Alert within the next 24 hour period. This warning will generally precede a full alert.

• Red Flag ALERT is the most critical stage and implemented when conditions are extreme. It is the responsibility of the Forest Supervisor to initiate and commence any specific actions deemed necessary. All Red Flag Advisories are broadcast by the Flagstaff Dispatch Center on the daily Fire Weather Forecast.

When a Red Flag Alert is issued, the District Rangers and/or Fire Duty Officers will implement any or all of the following actions at his or her discretion.

1. Local district fire resources will be moved and staged in strategic locations for initial attack.
2. The forest fire dozers (when available) will be loaded on the transport and placed on “stand by” for immediate available dispatch.
3. All Prevention Patrol personnel will increase area patrols and public contacts particularly in high volume visitor areas.
4. Industrial contractors within the district are subject to shut down operations for short periods during such alerts.
5. All surrounding cooperating agencies will be notified of any implemented plans affecting public use and camp fires are not recommended.
6. Front line office personnel will advise visitors of current and expected conditions and any temporary restrictions that apply.
7. Any qualified district employees can and may be used for support of fire management activities as needed.
8. Notify District and Forest Level Public Information Officers and have PIO’s notify local media that camp fires are not recommended.

The following are the Industrial Plans for our contractors that explain the requirements that must be followed during stages of restrictions. Depending on conditions, these can change and be altered for additional restrictions if weather warrants the change.

• A: Normal Fire Precautions - No fire guard required except for welding and blasting operations.
• B: Normal Fire Precautions - Authorized user will provide fire guard.
• C: All power equipment use as well as blasting and welding operations will shut down from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. MDT). Operations on mineral soil involving activities such as road excavation, watering, grading, surfacing, rock crushing, and/or other equipment may continue. Authorized user will provide fire guard.
• D: Shut down all operations; except operations on mineral soil involving road excavation, watering, grading, surfacing, and rock crushing may continue with special Forest Service permit. Blasting and welding are prohibited. Authorized user will provide fire guard.

Typical Fire Precaution Measure Stages

* Partial Forest Closure:

Project areas which are outside the boundaries of the partial forest closure may continue to operate under Industrial Fire Plan "C" operating criteria as agreed upon between the Permit Administrator and Purchaser in writing.

Project areas within the boundaries of the proclaimed partial forest closure area are to operate under Industrial Plan "D".

Staged restrictions levels are determined by the appropriate Forest Line Officer in consultation with the Forest Fire Management Officer and Permit Administrator. The appropriate Forest Line Officer may adjust the predicted Industrial Plan for local weather conditions within a Project Area. Changes in the predicted Industrial Plan shall be agreed to in writing.