Maricopa County’s annual fire ban will begin Thursday, May 1, and remain in effect through Sept. 30. The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department will implement its fire ban on the same day, effecting Estrella Mountain Regional Park and all of the county's other parks.
The fire bans align with the Maricopa County Air Quality Department’s regulations, which prohibit outdoor fires during the summer months across all of the county’s regional parks.
“In 2024, Maricopa County received 4.54 inches of rain. That is well below our average annual rainfall of 7.36 inches,” said Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Waller. “With the summer heat quickly approaching and the vegetation as dry as it is, the parks are on high alert. Our team may implement temporary fire bans due to high winds or poor air quality before the annual fire ban goes into effect to ensure public safety and protect the park’s resources. When temporary fire bans are issued, we post the information on the website, and visitors are notified upon entry to the park. The parks also stop selling firewood during this time.”
The ban prohibits campfires, fire pits and charcoal grills. Gas and propane grills may still be used, but only in designated areas such as semi-developed and developed campsites. Campfires along the shoreline at Lake Pleasant Regional Park are also prohibited.
Smoking is restricted to enclosed vehicles and campers, and visitors are asked to properly extinguish and dispose of cigarette waste.
Although the ban is set to end Sept. 30, park officials will monitor conditions throughout the summer and may extend it if necessary.
