Starting Friday, smoking in many areas of 11 Maricopa County parks will be prohibited.
Officials warn that a continued drought has made it dangerous to smoke near plants or grass, and the smallest ember could spark a fire. However, smoking within an enclosed vehicle or at developed recreation sites such as parking lots, picnic ramadas or campsites will be allowed.
This is an expansion of current fire restrictions. On May 1 the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department banned all campfires, fire pits, and the use of charcoal in grills at all Maricopa County parks.
The smoking ban affects Lake Pleasant Regional Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Adobe Dam Regional Park,Buckeye Hills Regional Park, Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Hassayampa River Preserve, San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Usery Mountain Regional Park, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Cave Creek Regional Park and Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.
An end date for the ban hasn’t been announced, as Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department Director R.J. Cardin said, it will depend on the amount of rain received during monsoon season.
