The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department will put into effect its annual ban of open fires in the city's desert parks and mountain preserves beginning on Wednesday, May 1.

The ban will continue through Sept. 30, city officials stated in a release.

The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department's annual fire ban goes into effect the same day. 

Smoking and charcoal fires are included in the ban “due to the extreme fire danger that the combination of low humidity, increased temperatures, excessive dry vegetation and frequent high winds create each spring,” the release stated.

The ban applies to Camelback Mountain, Deem Hills Recreation Area, Lookout Mountain, Papago Park, Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area, Phoenix Mountains Preserve, Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, North Mountain Park, Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area and South Mountain Park/Preserve. 

The ban does not apply to the city's flatland parks. 

For those using the city's desert parks and preserve land, the fire ban stipulates the following: 

• Open wood and charcoal fires are prohibited.
• Propane or gas grills may be used but only in established picnic areas.

Phoenix officials said that smoking outside enclosed vehicles and fireworks are prohibited year-round.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.