VIDEO: It’s already been a very busy fire season, and restrictions have been put in place. But forest officials are finding some people simply aren’t following them.
This is a busy time of the year when more people are traveling, especially up to the high country, but it’s important to know what you can and can’t do when you get there. Workers with the Coconino National Forest say they responded to at least 15 illegal campfires last weekend. Several Arizona national forests are enforcing stage one fire restrictions. This means campfires with wood or charcoal aren’t allowed outside of designated areas, and you also can’t smoke. “We have increased patrols, but especially on the weekends,” Andrew Hostad, the Fire Prevention Supervisor with the Coconino National Forest, said.
Hostad says people have been better about using propane fire pits. But some are still breaking the rules.