Prescott National Forest announces Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

PRESCOTT, Arizona, May 29, 2025 - Due to rapidly drying wildland fuels and above normal predicted fire potential for the month of June, the Prescott National Forest plans to enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, to include a recreational shooting prohibition, beginning Friday, May 30th at 8:00 a.m. Restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have improved sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire and Recreational Shooting Restrictions will apply to all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the administrative boundary of the Prescott National Forest

Stage I fire restrictions prohibit the following:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including the use of charcoal and briquettes, except within a fire structure provided by the Forest Service at the developed recreation areas identified below.
2. Smoking, except 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.
3. Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun.
Exemptions from restrictions include the following:
1. Persons with a Forest Service Permit specifically exempting them from restrictions or a written determination by a Forest Service officer that a permit is not required.
2. Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
3. Persons engaged in legal hunting activity pursuant to State, Federal, or Tribal laws and regulations are allowed to discharge a firearm while taking wildlife.
4. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

Developed Recreation Areas on the Prescott National Forest include:

BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICT
• Alto Pit OHV Campground and Day-Use • Thumb Butte Day-Use and Group Ramada• Yavapai Campground• Lynx Creek Ruin Day-Use• Wekuvde Day-Use• Ranch Trailhead #62
• Turney Gulch Group Campground• Lynx Lake North Shore Day-Use• Cayuse Equestrian Trailhead Day-Use• Lynx Lake South Shore Day-Use• Eagle Ridge Campground
• Groom Creek Horse Campground• Lynx Campground• Lower Wolf Creek Campground• Hilltop Campground• Upper Wolf Creek Campground• White Spar Campground
• Hazlett Hollow Campground• Horsethief Cabin

VERDE RANGER DISTRICT
• Mingus Mountain Campground• Potato Patch Campground• Mingus Tent Sites• AZHPA Campground• Mingus Group Site• Copper Canyon Trailhead• Mingus Vista Day-Use
• Summit Day-Use• Mingus Picnic Day-Use• Playground Group Campground• Sycamore Cabin Rental• Grief Hill Trailhead

The public can obtain fire information via the following:

Prescott National Forest Web Site: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/prescott
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Local Ranger Stations: Bradshaw Ranger District 928-443-8000; Verde Ranger District 928-567-4121