Reclamation announces support for fire restrictions issued for Arizona

Boulder City, Nev. - Due to the escalating threat of wildfires caused by high temperatures, low humidity, and dry vegetation, the Bureau of Reclamation is taking decisive action. Effective immediately, fire restrictions will be enforced on lands managed or maintained by Reclamation in Mohave, Coconino, Yavapai, Maricopa, Gila, Pinal, Pima, Cochise, Graham, La Paz, and Yuma Counties, Arizona. These measures align with the Bureau of Land Management's fire restrictions issued earlier in May 2026.

Key Fire Restrictions:

1. No Open Fires: Building, maintaining, attending, or using open fires, campfires, or charcoal stoves are strictly prohibited, except within designated fire pits or grills at developed recreation sites. Portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed but should be used cautiously.
2. Welding and Acetylene Torches: Operating an acetylene torch with open flames is not permitted unless authorized by a permit.
3. Explosives and Fireworks: The use of any explosive materials, including fireworks (including Safe and Sane fireworks), is strictly forbidden.
4. Incendiary Devices: Possession and use of tracer rounds, steel-jacket ammunition, explosive targets, or any other incendiary device are prohibited.
5. Spark Arrestors: Motor vehicles and combustion engine equipment must have functional spark arrestors to prevent sparks that could ignite fires.
6. Smoking Restrictions: Smoking is only allowed inside enclosed vehicles.

Enforcement and Penalties:

Reclamation fully supports the Bureau of Land Management's and the U.S Forest Service Fire Prevention Orders and restrictions issued in each state. Violation of these restrictions may result in fines, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS ORDER

This Notice of Temporary Restrictions is issued to help reduce the risk of wildfires on Reclamation managed lands in Mohave, Coconino, Yavapai, Maricopa, Gila, Pinal, Pima, Cochise, Graham, La Paz, and Yuma Counties, Arizona and in support of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) fire restrictions issued across their Districts in May 2026. These restrictions are instituted pursuant to Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 423 and 429 and are in effect until all BLM offices in Arizona rescind their seasonal restrictions.

The restrictions are necessary due to increasing high temperatures and low humidity, creating conditions for rapid spread of wildfires. These fire restrictions prohibit:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, a campfire or charcoal stove (except within the approved fire pits or grills provided in developed recreation sites). Using a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel is allowed, but should be used with care.
• Welding or operating an acetylene torch with open flames (except by permit).
• Using, or causing to be used, any explosive, except by permit. Use of all fireworks (including Safe and Sane) is prohibited on Reclamation-managed land in Mohave, Coconino, Yavapai, Maricopa, Gila, Pinal, Pima, Cochise, Graham, La Paz, and Yuma Counties, Arizona (43 CFR §423.30(c)).
• Possession and/or use of tracer rounds, steel-jacket ammunition, explosive targets, or any other incendiary device.
• Operating a motor vehicle or combustion engine equipment without a spark arrestor (43 CFR §420.11(c)).
• Smoking is allowed in an enclosed vehicle only.
• Reclamation supports the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service Fire Restrictions; therefore, the greater restriction is in effect.

Pursuant to 43 CFR §423.60, each of the following persons is exempt from this order:

1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, state, local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

Under section (l)(a) of Public Law 107-69, you are subject to a fine under chapter 227, subchapter C of title 18 United States Code (18 U.S.C. 3571) or can be imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both, if you violate these restrictions.

For additional information regarding these fire restrictions, please contact Justin DeMaio, Archeologist with the Lower Colorado Basin's Environmental Compliance Group, at telephone (702) 293-8359 or via email at [email protected].