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5 Critical Facts About Coconino Forest Fire Restrictions You Must Know Right Now (2025 Update)

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Are you planning a trip to the stunning Ponderosa pine forests of Northern Arizona? As of today, December 20, 2025, the Coconino National Forest has largely lifted its seasonal, temporary fire restrictions, a welcome sign for winter visitors. However, the threat of wildfire is a constant reality in this beautiful but arid landscape, meaning restrictions can be implemented swiftly, and critical year-round bans remain in effect in popular areas. Understanding the current status and the difference between Stage 1 and Stage 2 restrictions is essential for a safe and legal visit.

The fire danger level in the Coconino National Forest (CNF) is constantly monitored, often fluctuating between stages based on factors like precipitation, temperature, and fuel moisture. The information below provides the most recent structure of the fire restrictions, what is prohibited, and the severe penalties for violations, ensuring you are prepared for any future changes or current local bans.

The Coconino National Forest Fire Restriction Status and Key Entities (2025 Review)

The Coconino National Forest, which surrounds the Flagstaff and Sedona areas, manages fire restrictions in coordination with numerous local and federal partners, including Coconino County, the City of Flagstaff, the Kaibab National Forest, and the Prescott National Forest.

Latest Status Snapshot (September 2025):

  • General Status: As of early September 2025, most temporary fire restrictions across Coconino County and the surrounding National Forest lands were lifted due to favorable moisture.
  • Year-Round Restrictions: Despite the general lifting of seasonal restrictions, permanent, year-round camping and campfire restrictions are always in effect for the high-use areas of Kachina Village and Pumphouse Wash, located south of Flagstaff between State Route 89A and I-17.
  • Historical Trend: The forest typically implements Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions during the dry, hot months, often between late spring and mid-summer, as seen in the reduction from Stage 2 to Stage 1 in August 2025.

Coconino National Forest Key Entities:

  • Coconino County: Often coordinates restrictions with the National Forest.
  • Kaibab National Forest: Shares fire restriction coordination, particularly near their borders.
  • City of Flagstaff: Implements its own municipal restrictions that often align with the CNF.
  • State Trust Lands: Also subject to fire restrictions, sometimes independently of the National Forest.

Stage 1 vs. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions: What is Prohibited?

Understanding the difference between Stage 1 and Stage 2 is crucial, as they dictate vastly different activities for campers, hikers, and residents. These stages are triggered by specific weather and fuel conditions, often when the Fire Preparedness Level reaches Level III or higher.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions: The Initial Ban

Stage 1 is the first level of restriction, primarily targeting open flames from solid fuels. The goal is to reduce the chance of accidental ignition from campfires and smoking materials. During Stage 1, the following activities are strictly prohibited:

  • Campfires/Wood Fires: Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal, briquettes, and wood, is prohibited AT ALL TIMES.
  • Smoking: Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building, or while stopped in an area cleared of all flammable materials for at least three feet in diameter.
  • Fireworks: The use of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices is always illegal on National Forest lands, regardless of the fire restriction stage.

What is Generally Allowed in Stage 1?

  • Propane/Gas Stoves: Using a stove, lantern, or heating device fueled by liquid petroleum (LPG) or propane is typically allowed.
  • Developed Sites: Restrictions apply everywhere, not just in dispersed camping areas.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions: The Total Fire Ban

Stage 2 represents a significant escalation, often implemented during periods of extreme drought and high winds. It includes all the prohibitions of Stage 1 and adds severe limitations on other activities, effectively instituting a near-total fire ban.

In addition to Stage 1 prohibitions, Stage 2 restrictions typically ban:

  • Any Open Flame: Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes, anywhere within the Coconino National Forest, even in developed recreation sites.
  • Smoking Ban: Smoking is prohibited throughout the entire forest, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
  • Internal Combustion Engines: Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine without a required spark-arresting device is prohibited.
  • Welding/Blasting: Using an explosive, welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

What is Generally Allowed in Stage 2?

  • Propane Stoves: The use of liquid petroleum (LPG) or propane-fueled stoves and lanterns is often still permitted, but only in areas clear of flammable materials for a specified radius (e.g., three feet). Always check the specific order for current rules.

Severe Penalties for Violating Coconino National Forest Fire Restrictions

Ignoring fire restrictions in the Coconino National Forest is not just a minor infraction; it is a serious federal offense with mandatory consequences. The Forest Service takes a zero-tolerance approach to violations, which can lead to life-altering penalties.

Consequences of Violating the Fire Ban:

  • Criminal Charges: Violating a campfire restriction is classified as a Federal Class B Misdemeanor.
  • Mandatory Court Appearance: Violations carry a mandatory appearance in federal court.
  • Hefty Fines: Individuals can face fines up to $5,000.
  • Imprisonment: Violators may face imprisonment for up to six months.
  • Civil Liability: In addition to criminal penalties, any person who violates the ban may be held civilly liable for the costs of suppressing a wildfire caused by their negligence.

The message is clear: when the Coconino National Forest is under any fire restriction, adhere to the rules strictly. A single ember from an illegal fire can quickly escalate into a catastrophic wildfire, threatening local communities like Flagstaff, Sedona, and Williams, and devastating the fragile ecosystems of the Kaibab and Coconino forests.

Final Safety Tip: Before entering the Coconino National Forest or any surrounding public land, always check the official USDA Forest Service website or the Coconino County Alerts page for the absolute latest and most accurate fire restriction status, as conditions can change daily.

5 Critical Facts About Coconino Forest Fire Restrictions You Must Know Right Now (2025 Update)
coconino forest fire restrictions
coconino forest fire restrictions

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