Fireworks a concern for fire management approaching holiday weekend
With the Fourth of July holiday upon us, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) encourages Arizonans to leave the fireworks up to the professionals as fire danger remains high and activity persists.
Lingering hot and dry conditions in some areas of the state are the perfect recipe for quick wildfire ignitions. While certain fireworks are legal in the state, they have been known to start wildfires. They pose a threat to the public and our wildland firefighters.
“Please be responsible this holiday weekend. Fireworks have been proven to be an ignition source for fires on our lands, just like 2020’s 259-acre Stage Fire northwest of New River. We want the public to understand the threat, make good choices, and if possible, partake in alternative Fourth of July activities. Our prevention staff will be out patrolling over the next few days and into the weekend ensuring everyone is recreating safely and abiding by restrictions,” said DFFM’s Prevention Division Chief, Aaron Casem.
Prevention patrols will be conducted in areas of the state that are notorious for ignitions. Areas like, Pinal County, Wittmann, along State Route 74, the Interstate 17 corridor, and around the US 60 near Apache Junction and Gold Canyon. In addition, DFFM increased staffing levels and prepositioned some crews in central and southern Arizona in advance of the upcoming holiday and long weekend. A DFFM task force comprised of six engines and overhead is also stationed in the Phoenix-area to help with initial attack and provide for faster response efforts.
This year, with the abundant fuel loading in some parts of the state, including in Central Arizona and across the Sonoran Desert, any ignition into the fine fuel vegetation can start a fast-moving and rapid-spreading wildfire. Due to fire activity, resource availability, and firefighter and public safety concerns, Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place across most of Arizona on State Trust lands. On State Trust lands, fireworks are never allowed regardless of restrictions.
Fireworks are regulated in Arizona under ARS § 36-1606. Under state law, firework sales are restricted to the Fourth of July and New Year holidays with only certain types of fireworks allowed legally. Firecrackers, bottle and sky rockets, roman candles, and any type of aerial firework are illegal in Arizona. DFFM urges residents to be responsible if using fireworks. Use them only where it is legal to do so, clear vegetation from the area and have a hose or water supply nearby.
To date, 862 fires have burned nearly 61,019 acres across the state. Of those fires, 89% were determined to be human-caused. In 2023 between January 1, and July 2, 793 fires burned 48,376.
Fire restriction information: WildlandFire.az.gov.
For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at (602) 540-1036 or by email at [email protected]
