Arizona Emergency Information Network

Due to recent monsoonal rains in the northern and higher elevation areas of the Tonto National Forest, Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be lifted in parts of the Payson, Pleasant Valley, Tonto Basin, and Globe Ranger Districts starting Friday, August 2 at 8 a.m. However, the Cave Creek and Mesa Ranger Districts will remain in Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

The northern and higher elevation regions have received 3-5 times more rainfall than the southern and lower elevation areas over the past six weeks, leading to increased fuel moisture levels and reduced fire danger.

“Fire managers continuously assess conditions across the forest to decide when to implement or lift fire restrictions,” said Fire Staff Officer Andy Mandell. “The criteria for these decisions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, ongoing drought, and available firefighting resources. Fire restrictions may be reinstated if conditions change.”

The decision to lift Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions from portions of the Tonto National Forest was made in conjunction with other federal and state land management agencies in Arizona.

Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions prohibit the following acts when visiting portions of the Tonto: 

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area. A fire structure is a permanent metal or concrete structure specifically designed to contain a campfire or cooking fire that the Forest Service or equivalent installed and maintains. Designated areas are developed recreation sites such as campgrounds and picnic areas that are maintained and administered by the Forest Service, shown on the current Forest visitor maps, and equipped with permanent fire structures;
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. Deposit cigarette butts and remains in an ashtray or inside a building; do not toss or discard on the ground; and
• Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun within the Described Area.

Exemptions to Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions include:

• 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;
• Any Federal, State, or Local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty; 
• Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them; and 
• Persons engaged in legal hunting activity pursuant to State, Federal, or Tribal laws and regulations are allowed to discharge a firearm while taking wildlife. 

Violation of fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months. For more information regarding the fire restrictions closure order, shooting restrictions and an accompanying map, see Alerts & Warnings.

The public can obtain current state and federal fire restrictions information across Arizona on the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention and Information website. 

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Thursday, August 1 and Friday, August 2.

Take Action

• Drive less, carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit ShareTheRide.com.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Reduce wait time in long drive-thru lines. Park your vehicle and walk inside at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, curbside pick-up, and banks.
• Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
• Delay large painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Properly seal containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air. Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Conserve electricity.

HPA Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-highway vehicles are prohibited from being used.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of particulate matter, all Transportation Coordinators are requested to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal "ozone season."

"High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults, and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

On Saturday, July 27, 2024, the town of Peeples Valley in Yavapai County experienced an unexpected water outage, leaving an estimated 400 residents without water. The Peeples Valley Fire Department contacted the Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management (YCOEM) to help deliver drinking water to the affected residents. YCOEM activated the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) to assist with coordination. YCOEM and the COAD worked with Manzanita Outreach and arranged the delivery of ten pallets of drinking water to the distribution site at Model Creek School in Yarnell, Arizona that afternoon.

Repairs to the water line were completed sooner than expected, and residents of Peeples Valley had water back in their homes the same day. The bottled water provided by Manzanita Outreach was distributed by the Peeples Valley Wildland Fire Division. The leftover water was then given to nearby fire departments, the Yarnell Food Bank, Yarnell Community Center, the local American Legion, and Model Creek Elementary School. These agencies will store the extra water for future emergencies.

YCOEM would like to highlight the exceptional efforts and timely response by the Yavapai County COAD and Manzanita Outreach. Their dedication and commitment to our community is invaluable.

Heather Vinson, Secretary of the COAD, stated, “Yavapai County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (YCCOAD) is a fantastic resource for our community, providing quick and organized responses during emergencies. The YCCOAD formed to improve awareness of the needs within our community and connect the capabilities of community partners with those needs during all stages of an emergency. It is crucial to understand and maintain our community resources and relationships before an emergency strikes so that we are ready to support one another when it matters most.” 

For more information about the Yavapai County Coad, visit www.YavapaiReady.gov/COAD.

Crises like these can happen at any time. YCOEM would like to remind everyone of the importance of being prepared for any disaster or hazard that could threaten your community. YCOEM encourages everyone to have a supply of essential items like bottled water, non-perishable food, and emergency kits. Being prepared helps ensure the safety and well-being of yourself, your family, pets, and barn animals in any emergency.