An early-season wildfire forced people to flee their homes in western Arizona last month.
Efforts to prevent a catastrophic fire season on the other side of the state have officials imposing new restrictions on Friday.
The new fire restrictions apply to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Plus land in Navajo and Apache counties that is owned and managed by the state.
Officials count drought, dry burnable fuel and an increase in human-caused fires among reasons why. They’re acting proactively in northeastern Arizona despite recent moisture.
Officials say conditions in the White Mountains region merit various campfire restrictions and limiting where people can smoke. Fireworks are banned.
An April wildfire south of the White Mountains has been controlled. So has another in Navajo County. Both charred land on the Fort Apache Reservation.
