All state-owned and managed lands in Apache and Navajo Counties are closed due to “extraordinarily high” fire risk.
The stage three fire restrictions ban recreational use of the lands, including hunting, camping and off-road vehicles until further notice.
“These areas are under extreme to exceptional drought conditions, therefore to safeguard our communities and our Arizona residents, closing state-owned and managed lands is an appropriate course of action,” said State Forester Jeff Whitney in a statement.
State parks will remain open with fire restrictions in place, and all forests are under stage two restrictions.
Arizona’s wildfire season had an early start this year. The Tinder Fire consumed 16,309 acres and 33 homes in north-central Arizona, the Viewpoint Fire near Prescott took two homes and the Pinery Fire outside Wilcox closed the Chiricahua national monument.
Those three fires — and the overwhelming majority of other Arizona wildfires last year — were man-made. Officials warn that low precipitation combined with high temperatures can turn the smallest spark into a devastating fire.
