The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved a campfire ban at its Tuesday meeting.
They say it’s designed to protect the health and safety of firefighters during the COVID-19 outbreak and reduce the impacts of poor air quality on those suffering from or at risk of the disease.
“Fire season is approaching and fighting fires is a hazardous profession that limits the ability of first responders to physically distance,” said Coconino County Chairwoman Liz Archuleta in a press release. “Campfires can lead to unwanted human-caused fires which pose a threat to our communities. We encourage residents to recreate where appropriate without campfires.”
The county’s move aligns with the fire ban already in effect on all six of Arizona’s national forests. It prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire. Gas and propane stoves, grills and lanterns with an on-off switch are still allowed. The ban doesn’t apply to municipal governments within the county, though the City of Flagstaff put a similar ban in place last week.
The order went into effect immediately after it was adopted by the board and will remain until it is rescinded.
