The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department will initiate its annual fire ban on Tuesday, May 1, including McDowell Mountain Regional Park adjacent to Fountain Hills.

“We typically try to wait until after Memorial Day weekend to implement our fire ban so park visitors can enjoy spending time around the campfire with their families during their visit. However, this year the valley hasn’t received a significant amount of rain, which has left conditions ideal for wildfire ignition,” said R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Director.

“As a land manager, we believe the decision to implement sooner rather than later is the responsible thing to do to ensure park visitor and park resource safety,”

The fire ban includes the use of campfires, fire pits and charcoal grills; however, it is still acceptable to use gas/propane grills in designated areas such as the ramada areas, semi-developed and developed camping sites, and along the shoreline at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Violation of this park rule, Rule 113, may result in a citation.

While smoking in the parks is still permissible, it is discouraged due to the extremely dry conditions. If you must smoke, please be responsible and ensure that all cigarettes are properly extinguished and placed in trash receptacles. A date to lift the fire ban has not been identified and will be determined by the amount of rain Maricopa County receives during the monsoon season.