On May 2, 2022, The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chair, Mary Mallory, signed the Interim Fire Prohibition Order which prohibits the use of fireworks and implements Stage 1 Fire Restrictions across all four fire zones in Yavapai County. The effective date of the fire ban is May 5, 2022, at 8:00 AM.
Fire Ordinance Zones: Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern Zones of Yavapai County, which include the following cities and towns; Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewy Humboldt, Mayer, Cordes Junction, Black Canyon City, Congress, North Wickenburg, Peoples Valley, Yarnell, Wilhoit, Cottonwood, Sedona, Camp Verde, and unincorporated areas herein.
Prohibited activities will include the sale or use of fireworks; building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site, or improved site; smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an outdoor area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials; and operating or using any equipment with an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order, per the details provided in Ordinance 2020-2.
Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chair Mary Mallory said, ““I would like to ask all residents to be alert to the fire danger present in our county, please respect the prohibitions and take precautions to avoid accidentally igniting a fire. One spark is all it takes to cause a devastating wildfire.”
Yavapai County Emergency Manager Ashley Ahlquist said, “”Instituting a fire ban is not something we take lightly, but with such an early start to fire season and multiple active fires in the region, this is the time of year where the benefits of a fire ban far out way the hardships. I have made this recommendation to the Board because of the need to protect lives, our homes and the natural resources we all enjoy. As a resident of Yavapai County I appreciate everyone doing their part.”
This fire ban will stay in effect until the risk has diminished and there is agency consensus that restrictions may be lifted.
