CLIFTON —The ban on campfires has been lifted in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, after the Southwest Area was moved to Fire Preparedness Level 2.
“The campfire ban was an effort to prevent overtaxing federal, state and local fire and medical resources. With the onset of monsoon season and lower fire danger, we feel comfortable terminating the campfire ban. We urge visitors to follow all campfire rules and make sure their campfires are 100 percent out before they leave,” said Gary Strickland, forest fire management officer for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
In the United States, more than 80 percent of wildfires are human caused.
Examples of preventable human-caused fires are unattended campfires, campfires not being “dead out,” cigarettes thrown out of vehicle windows, and vehicles parking on tall grass with hot exhaust pipes and dragging tow-chains.
