Fire restrictions have been lifted this summer in Arizona, but there is still a risk for wildfires. One possible cause of wildfires is abandoned campsites. Coconino National Forest Service officers said they found 319 abandoned campfires this year to date. That is more than double the number of abandoned campfires found last year and almost six times more than the amount found in 2013.
"What I am assuming people are looking at how green and lush it is out there and are thinking that there is no way this fire will escape this ring or my campfire will escape, so they are feeling a little complacent on this," said Don Muise, a fire staff officer of the Coconino National Forest.
Muise added that campfires need to be cool to the touch before campers leave the sites. It is illegal to abandon a campfire without extinguishing it, and fines for not complying can range from $125 to $5,000.