Fire Ban In Phoenix's Desert And Mountain Parks Begins May 1

PHOENIX, AZ — A fire ban in Phoenix's desert parks and mountain preserves will begin May 1, the same day that the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department's annual fire ban takes effect.

Phoenix's fire ban for its desert parks and preserves not only bans wood fires, but charcoal fires and smoking as well. These extra measures are being taken at the advisement of the Phoenix Fire Department because of low humidity, high temperatures and an abundance of dry vegetation, according to a news release from the city.

Propane or gas grills will be allowed in the parks and preserves where the ban applies, but only in designated picnic areas.

The fire ban does not apply to the city's flatland parks.

Parks and preserves included in the ban are:

• Camelback Mountain
• Deem Hills Recreation Area
• Lookout Mountain
• Papago Park
• Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area
• Phoenix Mountains Preserve
• Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
• North Mountain Park
• Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
• South Mountain Park and Preserve

Using fireworks and smoking, except for when inside an enclosed vehicle, are prohibited in Phoenix parks year round.

Motorists driving through Phoenix's desert parks and mountain preserves are advised to use extreme caution when smoking and to dispose of smoking materials only in their vehicle's ashtray.

Locals who have property bordering the city's preserves and parks are encouraged to get rid of dry shrubs, brush and grasses and to trim dead branches from trees within the 10-foot strip of land bordering their property line.

A 10-feet-wide buffer zone can help protect homes from brush fires.