Arizona

Crews continue to make excellent progress on the Pine Hollow Fire. The northern, eastern, and southern edges of the fire showed decreased activity, and crews are preparing plans to repair areas impacted by suppression activities. Because of the decreased activity in some portions, crews and helicopters are working to suppress the active fire along the north and western edge.

Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), in partnership with healthcare partners across the state, announced today that the Arizona Testing Blitz will be expanded an additional two weeks. Arizona Testing Blitz events were held on May 2, May 9, and the third event will be held on Saturday, May 16. There are more than 70 sites participating this Saturday and testing will be available to anyone who thinks they have been exposed to and could be infected with COVID-19, based on criteria set by each testing site. 

Governor Doug Ducey today announced that the Stay At Home order in Arizona will be ending on May 15 and replaced by new guidance for the next stage of economic recovery. The new guidance aligns with gating criteria issued by the White House and Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and aims to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 resurgence, protect vulnerable populations, and guide the reopening of businesses with enhanced physical distancing and safety measures in place.

The Tonto National Forest will begin Stage 2 Fire Restrictions May 12 at 8 a.m. in conjunction with other federal and state land management agencies in Arizona.

According to Tonto National Forest Supervisor Neil Bosworth, rising temperatures and an increase in drying trends of grass fuel loads resulting from above average winter moisture prompted the decision to implement these fire restrictions.

Beginning May 12, 2020, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions. Fire restrictions are a tool many agencies use to restrict activities known to be the most common causes of wildfires. Continued dry conditions and an increase in wildfire activity throughout Arizona have led agencies to implement fire restrictions.

Seasonal fire restrictions are now in place at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The restrictions are necessary to prevent wildfire during this period of extended drought and increased potential for wildland fires in Arizona and Nevada.

The following acts are prohibited or modified, until further notice:

Governor Doug Ducey today announced a partnership between the state of Arizona and the University of Arizona to provide antibody tests for 250,000 health care professionals and first responders who are on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19. 

The University of Arizona will administer the antibody tests to check for antibodies through an individual’s blood sample to determine if they were exposed to COVID-19, had the virus and recovered. The state and the university are working together to quickly get approval from the federal government to move forward with the testing. 

In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, Governor Doug Ducey today issued an Executive Order to increase quarantine guidelines for out-of-state travelers entering Arizona. Under the Executive Order, anyone who travels to Arizona from an area with substantial community spread through any airport in the state must isolate or quarantine themselves upon arrival for 14 days.

Governor Doug Ducey today issued an Executive Order halting evictions in the state for small businesses and nonprofits that are unable to pay rent due to financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The order also encourages commercial landlords to defer rent payments for small business tenants facing economic hardship due to COVID-19 and consider waiving all fees and interest associated with late payments. Under the order, evictions will be halted until May 31, 2020. 

Governor Doug Ducey today announced that President Trump in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today approved Arizona’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the state. The declaration makes available additional federal assets and resources to aid Arizona’s COVID-19 response efforts. 

Governor Ducey wrote a letter to President Trump on April 1 requesting the disaster declaration.