{"id":1768,"date":"2026-06-10T04:33:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T04:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=1768"},"modified":"2026-06-10T04:33:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T04:33:00","slug":"arizonas-wildfire-risk-rises-as-people-ignore-restrictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=1768","title":{"rendered":"Arizona\u2019s wildfire risk rises as people ignore restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 Fire officials say most of Arizona\u2019s recent wildfires are human-caused, sparked in areas where open flames are prohibited under current fire restrictions.<\/p>\n

Read more Tucson discusses $2.15 million transit safety plan<\/a><\/p>\n

With the cause of the Papa Fire still under investigation in northern Arizona, state fire officials are urging residents to pay close attention to fire restrictions as Arizona enters peak fire season in June and July.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just going to get busier as the days progress,\u201d said Tiffany Davila with State Fire and Forest Management.<\/p>\n

Recent fires could have been prevented<\/h2>\n

Fire crews are responding to several fires across the state, many of which Davila said could have been avoided.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of these fires, they\u2019re not intentional,\u201d Davila said.<\/p>\n

A recent fire near Tonto Basin started when someone was working on a gate. Investigators say a single spark from metal work ignited a fire that destroyed a couple of structures.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t the first time that we\u2019ve had a fire start like this and unfortunately, it\u2019s not going to be the last time,\u201d Davila said.<\/p>\n

A couple of weeks ago, another fire sparked in a riverbed near Wickenburg and erupted into a wildfire that burned down several RVs.<\/p>\n

Last month, near Yarnell, a wildfire started when someone pulled over to cook on a charcoal grill.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have fire restrictions in place in that area. Charcoal is not allowed,\u201d Davila said.<\/p>\n

Read more FlixBus launches seasonal transportation service from Phoenix to Grand Canyon<\/a><\/p>\n

Travelers contributing to fire starts<\/h2>\n

Fire officials say unintentional fires started by travelers are a growing problem.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had fire starts from tire blowouts,\u201d Davila said.<\/p>\n

Another cause is people hauling trailers with chains hanging too low, hitting the road, and causing sparks. Chain holders available at local hardware stores can prevent this issue.<\/p>\n

In the Tonto National Forest, Davila said crews continue to encounter abandoned campfires.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still seeing our resources working to go out and patrol and check for those abandoned campfires,\u201d Davila said.<\/p>\n

Stage 1 fire restrictions<\/h2>\n

Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit:<\/p>\n