Fire restrictions in Flagstaff run on a three-stage system administered separately by the Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, and the City of Flagstaff. Stage 1 limits open flames, Stage 2 tightens that to nearly all wood and charcoal fires plus engine and fireworks rules, and Stage 3 closes the national forest to public entry. The three agencies don’t always sit at the same stage, so the strictest rule that covers where you are is the one that applies. Breaking a restriction on federal land is a Class B misdemeanor carrying up to $5,000 in fines, six months in jail, or both, and anyone who starts a wildfire can be billed for the cost of putting it out.
Stage 1 Rules
Stage 1 goes into effect when dry fuels, weather, and current fire activity warrant limiting ignition sources. It isn’t triggered by a single number; land management agencies weigh fuel moisture, drought, and available firefighting resources together.1Emergency Information Network. Areas of Coconino County Within Coconino National Forest and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
On both the Coconino National Forest and unincorporated county land, Stage 1 prohibits any fire fueled by wood, charcoal, or briquettes, except inside a “developed site.” Coconino County defines that as an area, public or private, with at least a 15-foot radius of bare ground cleared of all vegetation and combustible material around the fire, with the space above that radius clear as well.2Coconino County, Arizona. Fire Restriction Information A backyard fire pit built to that standard qualifies. A rock ring at a dispersed campsite does not.
Outdoor smoking is also prohibited during Stage 1, except inside an enclosed vehicle or within a developed site as defined above.2Coconino County, Arizona. Fire Restriction Information On the national forest, the Forest Service may allow smoking while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of all flammable material, a narrower exemption drawn from 36 CFR 261.52(d).3eCFR. 36 CFR 261.52 – Fire County land requires the full 15-foot standard; the forest may permit the smaller cleared spot.
Stage 2 Rules
Stage 2 removes the developed-site exemption. No campfires, no charcoal grills, no briquettes, not even in established campgrounds with permanent fire rings. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves with a shut-off valve are generally still allowed, along with portable lanterns using gas or pressurized fuel, provided they’re used on cleared ground.4National Interagency Fire Center. General Fire Restrictions FAQs
Stage 2 also restricts internal combustion engines. Chainsaws, generators, and similar equipment can be banned entirely or limited to certain hours under a forest order issued by the supervisor.3eCFR. 36 CFR 261.52 – Fire The specific hours vary by order, so check the current Coconino National Forest order for the exact window. The logic is simple. Hot exhaust and sparks are most dangerous during peak afternoon heat.
Any internal combustion engine used on the national forest also needs a working spark arrestor, a device that catches or breaks down exhaust carbon particles before they leave the exhaust. This applies year-round to chainsaws, off-highway vehicles, generators, and similar equipment, and running gear without one is citable regardless of the current stage.5U.S. Forest Service. Spark Arrester Guide FAQ
Fireworks are banned under Stage 2, along with explosives, exploding targets, and incendiary or tracer ammunition.4National Interagency Fire Center. General Fire Restrictions FAQs Exploding targets and blasting-cap devices are actually prohibited starting at Stage 1 on most national forests. Standard ammunition for target shooting is not typically banned, though current conditions should guide the decision.
Stage 3 and Forest Closure
Stage 3 on the Coconino National Forest is not another layer of rules. It closes the forest. All public entry is prohibited: no hiking, no biking, no camping, no driving through. The closure covers the full designated area or the specific sections named in the forest order.6Forest Service. Coconino National Forest – Restrictions Law enforcement patrols the boundaries, and entering a closed area is a federal offense carrying the same penalties as other fire-restriction violations. The forest reopens only after a sustained moisture event or a substantial change in fire weather forecasts; there is no fixed calendar.
Coconino County’s Stage 3 works differently. Rather than closing county land to entry, it stacks stricter prohibitions on top of Stage 2. All fires are banned with no exemptions, outdoor smoking is restricted to enclosed vehicles only, and internal combustion engines for household activities such as landscaping are prohibited entirely. Welding, acetylene torches, and any open-flame industrial operations are also banned.7Coconino County Emergency Management. Coconino County Emergency Management – Stage 3 Forest Closure You might be turned away from a forest trailhead while still allowed on county land, just with severe activity limits.
City of Flagstaff Rules and Red Flag Warnings
The City of Flagstaff layers its own rules on top of the forest and county stages. Under the Wildland Urban Interface Code, no one may build or maintain any outdoor fire within city limits without a written permit from the Fire Department. The exception is permanent barbecues, grills, and outdoor fireplaces set at least 15 feet from combustible material or vegetation.8City of Flagstaff. Fire Restriction Stages That rule applies year-round.
When the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning, typically triggered by sustained winds of 15 mph or greater, relative humidity at or below 25 percent, and temperatures above 75°F,9NOAA’s National Weather Service. National Weather Service Glossary – Red Flag Warning the city bans fire pits and any open-flame device without an on/off switch, along with charcoal and wood-fueled barbecues at private residences and campgrounds.8City of Flagstaff. Fire Restriction Stages Gas grills with shut-off valves remain allowed. These city bans can kick in even when the surrounding national forest is only at Stage 1, so checking both sources matters.
Smoking in city parks and along the Flagstaff Urban Trail System is prohibited at all times, not only during Red Flag Warnings. Under City Code Section 13-13-001-0001, the Fire Chief holds sole jurisdiction over fire safety requirements and can prohibit any outdoor fire, including ordering closures of city open space and Buffalo Park.8City of Flagstaff. Fire Restriction Stages
Criminal Penalties
Violating a fire restriction order on the Coconino National Forest is a Class B federal misdemeanor. Under 18 U.S.C. § 3571, the applicable fine ceiling is $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization, with up to six months in jail.10Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 3571 – Sentence of Fine11eCFR. 36 CFR 261.1b – Penalty If the violation causes a death, the individual fine ceiling rises to $250,000. When the violation causes financial loss to another party, such as the cost of fighting a resulting wildfire, the court can fine the defendant up to twice the gross loss, with no cap. The Coconino National Forest confirms these figures on its official alerts page.12Forest Service. Coconino National Forest – Alerts
Civil Liability for Suppression Costs
The criminal fine is only the start. If you negligently start a wildfire, federal agencies pursue cost recovery for suppression, rehabilitation, and resource damage. The Bureau of Land Management issues a formal Notice of Suspected Trespass followed by a bill covering every dollar spent containing and cleaning up after the fire.13Bureau of Land Management. Idaho Fire Trespass Operating Plan Large wildfires routinely cost millions of dollars per day to suppress. BLM allows for compromise or services in lieu of payment in some cases, but the starting point is full recovery.
A $5,000 criminal fine is manageable. A multimillion-dollar suppression bill is not. The criminal penalty is punishment; the civil liability is reimbursement, and both can hit the same person for the same fire.
How to Check Current Restrictions Before You Go
Restrictions change with little warning, so a two-minute check before heading out is worth it.
- Coconino National Forest: the forest’s alerts page and restrictions page publish current forest orders and detail what’s prohibited at each stage.
- Fire Restriction Hotline: 928-226-4607 for automated information on active prohibitions.14Coconino National Forest. Contact Us – Coconino National Forest
- Coconino County: the county’s fire restriction page covers unincorporated lands and links to interactive maps.
- City of Flagstaff: the city’s fire restriction stages page details municipal rules and Red Flag Warning status, with current warnings at weather.gov/fgz.
- InciWeb: the interagency Incident Information System maps active wildfires and prescribed burns with a Red Flag Warning overlay.
Signage at forest entry points and trailheads gives legal notice of current restrictions, but signs sometimes lag rapid changes. If the sign at the trailhead says Stage 1 and the website says Stage 2, the website is right and the higher restriction applies. Check online before you leave, and again when you arrive if cell service allows.