Shooting, fire restrictions lifted in Prescott National Forest; 4 guidelines for campfires

The Prescott National Forest Service has announced that all shooting and fire restrictions will be lifted starting 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. (PNF/Courtesy)

The Prescott National Forest Service has announced that all shooting and fire restrictions will be lifted starting 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. (PNF/Courtesy)

Thanks to recent moisture, cooler temperatures, and shorter days, as well as a reduction in fire activity and resource commitments nationwide, the Prescott National Forest reported this week that it will lift all fire and recreational shooting restrictions at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.

While all fire restrictions will be lifted, forest visitors are reminded that the potential for wildfires still exists and to use caution with campfires and other potential ignition sources.

Now that campfires are again allowed on the Prescott National Forest, fire managers remind the public that abandoned campfires are still the leading cause of human-caused wildfires. Forest visitors are urged to follow campfire safety procedures. It is every camper’s responsibility to properly maintain and extinguish a campfire to prevent wildfires.

Forest officials give four guidelines for campfires, including:

• Never cutting whole trees or branches, dead or alive. Live materials will not burn and dead standing trees are often homes for birds and other wildlife;

• Not burning aerosol cans, pressurized containers, glass or aluminum cans. They could explode, shatter and/or create harmful fumes;

• Keeping the fire a manageable size; and

• Never leaving your campfire unattended.

Officials add six tips for ensuring that a campfire is fully extinguished, including:

• Allowing the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible;

• Pouring water on the fire. Drown all embers, not just the red ones. Pour until the hissing sound stops;

• If water is unavailable, stirring dirt or sand into the embers with a shovel to bury the fire;

• Scraping any remaining sticks and logs with a shovel to remove any embers;

• Continue adding water, dirt, or sand and stir with a shovel until all material is cool; and

• If the fire is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

Violators of regulations that prohibit abandoning a campfire are subject to a fine and/or imprisonment, Forest Service officials say.

If an abandoned campfire causes a wildfire, violators can also be held responsible for fire suppression costs, they add.

For more information, visit the Prescott National Forest website at fs.usda.gov/prescott or follow the forest’s activities on Facebook or Twitter.


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