Current Restrictions

RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED

The White Mountain Fire Coordinating Group (WMFCG) met on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 
to evaluate current fire conditions across northeastern Arizona. Based on improving conditions and 
continued monsoon activity, fire restrictions will be rescinded effective Friday, July 17 at 6:00 
a.m. for the following jurisdictions:
•  Unincorporated areas of Apache and Navajo Counties
•  Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
•  Arizona State Trust Lands
•  Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands
•  Cities and Towns of Eagar, Springerville, Snowflake, Taylor, Show Low, and 
Pinetop-Lakeside

The decision to lift restrictions follows a comprehensive review of several key criteria conducted 
by wildfire managers from local, state, federal, and tribal agencies as well as emergency 
management officials from both Navajo and Apache Counties. A few of the key factors supporting the 
decision include:

•  Energy Release Component (ERC) values have decreased significantly, indicating reduced fire 
potential, and are forecast to continue declining with ongoing monsoon moisture.
•  Weather forecasts from the US National Weather Service-Flagstaff office provided for the next 6 
to 10 days, as well as longer-range outlooks, continue to indicate favorable monsoon conditions 
across northeastern Arizona.
•  Firefighting resources remain readily available to respond to any new fire starts.
•  Recent wildfire activity has been primarily lightning-caused, and responding agencies have 
successfully managed these incidents without significant control issues.

While these conditions support lifting restrictions, the White Mountain Fire Coordinating Group 
reminds residents and visitors that wildfire risk is never completely eliminated. Fine fuels can
dry quickly between storms, and human-caused fires remain preventable.

Continue to practice wildfire safety.
 

Restrictions Overview

In the State of Arizona there are three stages of fire restrictions that can be implemented during times of high fire danger: Stage I, Stage II, and closures. 

So what’s the difference? 

Stage I is the first phase of the restrictions. Under these lower-level restrictions, campfires are allowed, but they must be within a developed site. See below for more detailed stage level restriction information. 

If weather conditions worsen and fire danger increases, the agency will move into the next stage of restrictions.

Under Stage II, even stronger stipulations are put in place, including no more campfires.

And, if conditions continue to decline and extremely high fire danger becomes a threat to the public and our firefighters, closures will go into effect. Within a closure, no public access will be allowed on state-owned or Forest Service lands until the Department of Forestry and Fire Management or respective US Forest Service jurisdiction rescinds its decision. 

Restrictions typically stay in place until Arizona moves into its monsoon season. During that time, higher humidity levels and increased moisture move in and help decrease the fire activity across the state. 

While we never like to prohibit recreational activities, there is a time when it is necessary to protect our Arizona State lands, human life, property, and our natural resources. 

One spark is all it takes to cause a devastating wildfire. 

During “Red Flag Warning”, conditions, as posted by the National Weather Service, no open outdoor fires, campfires, charcoal fires, agricultural burning or outdoor smoking are permitted on either public or private property within the unincorporated area of the affected zone(s).