Prescott National Forest Lifts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and Emergency Recreational Shooting Restrictions
7/20/2026
Prescott National Forest Lifts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and Emergency Recreational
Shooting Restrictions
(Prescott, AZ, July 20, 2026) The Prescott National Forest will lift Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and the Emergency Recreational Shooting Order effective July 21, 2026, at 8 a.m. This decision follows careful monitoring of fuel moisture, weather patterns, fire activity, and other factors.
The forest implemented fire restrictions to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of extreme fire danger and elevated fire weather conditions. We remind forest visitors that the fire season is not over, and fire prevention remains a shared responsibility.
The public should be mindful of anything that can spark a fire. Sudden gusts of wind can blow sparks into vegetation outside of cleared areas, causing unexpected and uncontrolled fires.
Forest staff and fire managers ask the public to always practice fire safety, including:
• Keep campfires small.
• Always keep water and a shovel nearby and know how to use them to fully extinguish fires; drown and stir the coals until they are cold to the touch.
• Never leave a campfire or BBQ grills unattended.
• Make sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving the area. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
• Keep an eye on the weather.
Abandoned campfires are a major cause of wildfires. Violators can face responsibility for fire suppression costs if an abandoned campfire causes a wildfire, which can include a fine and/or imprisonment.
The Arizona climate is tough on tires and wheel bearings; tire blowouts or worn bearings can be very dangerous and can cause wildfires. To mitigate risk, adjust trailer chains to prevent them from dragging and sparking a fire and check tires and wheel bearings regularly.
Additionally, recreational target shooting has the potential to cause wildfires when users set targets in areas with dry grass and other highly flammable fuels. The public should always shoot with a backstop or berm and avoid setting targets at the top of hills or in the direction of roads, recreational sites, and communities.
You can find additional campfire safety and wildfire prevention tips atwww.smokeybear.com.