Fires banned in city preserves

PHOENIX — The Parks and Recreation Department will ban open fires in city mountain and desert preserves starting on Monday.

Smoking and charcoal fires are included in the ban because of extreme fire danger caused by a combination of low humidity, increasing temperatures and frequent high winds.

For those using the preserves, the fire ban prohibits open wood and charcoal fires; smoking outside of enclosed vehicles; and use of propane or gas grills except in established picnic areas.

To protect their homes, residents whose property borders the preserves should remove dry shrubs, brush and grasses and trim dead branches from trees within the 10-foot strip of preserve bordering their property. By creating this buffer zone, residents can help to protect their homes from brush fires in the adjacent preserve.

Preserve neighbors also should check irrigation lines and pool backflush hoses to ensure water does not seep into the preserve. Outside water sources encourage unnaturally dense vegetation growth, which increases fire risk, officials said.

The ban applies to Camelback Mountain; Papago Park; all areas of the Phoenix Mountains; South Mountain Park; North Mountain and surrounding areas; the Sonoran Preserve; and the Deem Hills area. The fire ban does not apply to traditional city parks.

More details: phoenix.gov/parks.