Fire ban extended until Oct. 31 for all Maricopa County parks
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department has extended its fire ban for all county parks until the end of the month.
The fire ban extension comes as camping season starts to ramp up. But Michael Weber, park supervisor for the McDowell Mountain Reserve Parks, says triple-digit temperatures continue to create ideal wildfire conditions in October.
“We’ve had increased winter rains, which has created ideal conditions for invasive broad leaf and grass species, which creates heavy fuel load, so right now the desert is completely full of fuel,” he said. “It’s hotter, and there’s more chance of the fires continue burning into the fall.”
The following are prohibited under the fire ban:
- camp fires
- fire pits
- charcoal grills
- smoking outside of your car or camper
Propane and gas grills are allowed only in campsites and ramada areas.
Weber said taking these fire ban restrictions seriously is really important to the department, especially after seeing quite a few human-caused fires this summer.
“Construction of new homes is a big one,” Weber said. “The Wildcat Fire, which I believe is still under investigation but is suspected to be human-caused, and the Boulder View Fire, suspected from people grinding fence lines.”
If you plan on visiting or camping at any Maricopa County Parks this month, Weber said even with a propane grill, it’s important to be careful when cooking food in campsites. He also said to make sure you have water nearby at all times in case of an emergency.
Which parks are included in this ban?
- Lake Pleasant Regional Park
- White Tank Mountain Regional Park
- Adobe Dam Regional Park
- Buckeye Hills Regional Park
- Estrella Mountain Regional Park
- Hassayampa River Preserve
- San Tan Mountain Regional Park
- Usery Mountain Regional Park
- McDowell Mountain Regional Park
- Cave Creek Regional Park
- Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
For more information on the fire ban, visit the county’s website.
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