Joint Media Release: City of Prescott Fire Department and Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority Enacts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

The Prescott Fire Department and Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority will enact Stage 1 Fire Restrictions beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026. These restrictions will remain in effect until weather conditions improve throughout the area and at which time the restrictions can be rescinded.

The fire restrictions are in effect for the residents and visitors in the 42 square miles of the City of Prescott and the 369 square miles of the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA), which includes the towns of Prescott Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, Chino Valley, and Paulden. CAFMA’s jurisdiction also applies to areas surrounding the City of Prescott, such as Williamson Valley, upper Copper Basin Road, the Mountain Club area, Ponderosa Park off White Spar Road, and the Senator Highway area of Karen Drive, Sweet Acres, and Oak Knoll Village, along with the areas of Government Canyon and Diamond Valley, located south of Prescott.

This coordinated effort aligns with regional partners including, the Prescott National Forest and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM), which are expected to implement Stage 1 fire restrictions on or around May 21, 2026. Additionally, the County of Yavapai is expected to adopt similar measures in our regional effort to reduce our wildfire risks.

Please visit our websites at https://www.cazfire.gov or https://www.prescottfire.org for further information. For Yavapai County Regional Fire Restriction information, you may visit the Office of Emergency Management’s website

Stage I Fire Restrictions

PROHIBITED:

• Residential burn permits – No new burn permits will be issued; active permits will be suspended
• Use of model rockets
• Fireworks and Pyrotechnics (except upon approval of a fire department pyrotechnics permit).
• Outdoor use of firearms

ALLOWED WITH CONDITIONS:

• Fires for cooking, warming, or campfires (ash or ember producing):
  • Allowed at residences and government operated parks, (where approved) if always attended
• Smoking outdoors:
  • Allowed inside a vehicle, in a residential yard, or in a designated smoking area

Stage II Fire Restrictions

PROHIBITED:

• Commercial and residential burn permits – No new burn permits will be issued; active permits will be suspended.
• Use of model rockets
• Fireworks and Pyrotechnics (except upon approval of a fire department pyrotechnics permit).
• Outdoor use of firearms
• Warming fires, campfires, charcoal and wood burning barbeques (ember and ash producing), and devices that produce open flames such as tiki lamps.

ALLOWED WITH CONDITIONS:

• Propane, natural gas, or other gas flame-producing barbeque cooking grills or fire pits:
  • Allowed if in an enclosed device, can be turned off, and must be constantly attended
• Smoking outdoors:
  • Allowed inside a vehicle, in a residential yard, or in a designated smoking area
• Outdoor spark or flame producing activity, including welding, cutting, and grinding require:
  • A Fire Department permit for a specific time period and location
  • A fire watch – a person with the sole purpose of watching for sparks or ignition
  • Firefighting tool(s) on hand, such as a shovel
  • An approved water supply, available from an uninterruptable water supply, water truck, etc, , as approved.