The annual fire ban for Maricopa County’s regional parks will be implemented May 1.

The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department's annual fire restrictions align with the county's air quality burn activity regulations which, when it comes to outdoor recreational fires, extends through Sept. 30 at all regional parks, according to a release.

"This winter, Maricopa County received an abundance of rain, which provided us with a beautiful superbloom of wildflowers in the parks. As the temperatures begin to rise, this vegetation is drying out and quickly becoming an ideal source for wildfire ignition," R.J. Cardin, the county’s parks and recreation director, said.

“Implementing a fire ban limits the possibility of starting a brush fire, which could cause severe damage to park resources, threaten park visitor safety and pose a danger to homes near many of our parks."

The fire ban, which coincides with Phoenix’s ban, does not allow campfires, fire pits or charcoal grills.

Using gas/propane grills in designated areas such as semi-developed and developed camping sites is allowed, officials said.

Campfires along the shoreline at Lake Pleasant Regional Park are prohibited.

For more: www.maricopa.gov/parks.