Extreme Fire Danger in Arizona Closes Most Public Lands

Drought and extreme fire danger have resulted in a temporary closure of most federal and state lands in Arizona. As many as 20 wildfires are currently burning in the Grand Canyon State, many caused by lightning strikes and fueled by extremely dry conditions in Arizona’s central mountain areas.

State trust lands in all 15 Arizona counties are closed to recreational activities as of June 23. The Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott, and Tonto national forests are closed to all visitors. Stage 1 and Stage 2 fire restrictions have also been implemented on most Bureau of Land Management lands, restricting travel to maintained roads where vegetation is not present.

The restrictions will obviously halt Fourth of July holiday plans for many Arizonans looking to escape the summer heat of the state’s lower desert regions. The good news—rain is reportedly on the way. Precipitation is already falling in Arizona’s White Mountains at the eastern side of the state, and the forecast shows a good chance of monsoon showers covering the entire state over the next week.