Can You Have A Fire Camping in Arizona? (Explained)
Fire camping is a recreational activity that involves starting a fire at a campsite. Unlike other states in the US, Arizona has stringent laws on making open fires outdoors.
You may be interested in fire camping, and you are in Arizona. It is right for you to worry about the legality of fire camping. That said, can you have a fire camping in Arizona?
Yes, you can have a fire camping in Arizona. You must apply for a permit to start fires. You can only go camping at developed campsites. If you start a fire without a permit, you may have to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about Arizona’s fire camping laws. Furthermore, I’ll provide the necessary procedure to safely make a pit fire when camping.
Is Fire Camping Allowed in Arizona?
Yes, fire camping is allowed in Arizona. However, you must meet two requirements for Arizona fire camping: Use a developed campsite and own a permit.
According to the law in Arizona, it is illegal to go fire camping anywhere outside developed campsites. Fire camping in developed campsites helps to ensure your overall safety.
Developed campsites, unlike other campsites, provide you with everything you need when fire camping. Also, at developed campsites, you are always under proper supervision.
If you need assistance or anything goes sideways, park rangers and officials are always around to help.
Although it is legal to go fire camping at developed campsites, you must own a permit first. You need to own a permit to be able to start any fire outdoors, and that includes campfires.
Owning a permit means you know and will adhere to the necessary safety measures. Note that you’ll have to pay a fee of about $135 when applying for a permit.
If you go against the law, it will go against you. Fire camping without a permit at any campsites, including developed campsites, may attract a fine of up to $10,000.
Do You Need a Permit to Start a Campfire in Arizona?
Yes, it would be best to have a permit to start a campfire in Arizona. However, Arizona is one of the states in the US that is very cautious about open fires.
If you plan on starting a campfire at any site in Arizona, you must apply for a permit. You must apply about ten days in advance to receive approval.
When applying, you’ll have to provide information about the campsite location you plan on using and the safety equipment you have. Also, you’ll need to pay a fee of $135.
An official will be sure to review your application and give you feedback within those ten days of application.
If the permit gets approved, the official will guide you on the necessary rules and regulations you should be aware of. But, of course, you must follow those rules thoroughly to ensure your safety.
One of the primary rules you must follow when dealing with campfires is to stay supervised.
Leaving a campfire unattended may put the lives of people on the site at risk. Therefore, the authorities will charge you a fine of $5000 when you go against this rule.
Consequently, you may have to appear in court a few times and spend up to 6 months in jail.
You may try being sneaky and start a campfire without a permit, but if you get caught, you’ll have to suffer the consequences. In other words, you’ll pay a fine of up to $10,000.
You can easily apply for an open burn permit on the phoenix fire code online portal. In addition to getting a permit, you must use a developed camping site in Arizona.
Camping at developed campsites is essential for your safety. If anything goes wrong, you can quickly contact any available official on the site.
Is Fire Camping Legal Anywhere in Arizona?
Fire camping is only legal on developed campsites in Arizona. Fire camping anywhere other than developed campsites will attract a fine and jail time.
Some of the best-developed campsites in Arizona include Kendrick Cabin, Diamond rock campground, Lockett meadow campground, Dairy springs campground, etc.
Although it is legal to fire camp at developed campsites, you must have a permit. Fire code officials at the campsite will request a permit when you want to start a fire.
The permit ensures you know all the necessary rules to avoid creating a fire hazard. You can apply for the permit online about ten days before the date.
Are Pit Fires Allowed in Arizona Campsites?
Yes, pit fires are allowed in Arizona campsites. You can set a pit fire at any developed campsite in Arizona as long as you have a permit.
Fire code officers at developed campsites will demand a permit before they allow you to start any fire.
Making pit fires is different from making a regular campfire. First, you must know all the necessary materials and procedures to avoid creating a fire hazard.
Here is a table to show the materials you’ll need to create a pit fire when camping.
| Materials | Uses |
|---|---|
| Lighter or matches | To start the fire in the pit. |
| Tinder, kindling, and firewood | To keep the flames up and burning. |
| Water | To put out the fire. |
| Shovel | To mix the ash. |
Step One: Prepare the Area
The first thing to do is to find a perfect spot to place the fire pit. The area should be about ten feet away from trees, grasses, or any general structure to avoid spreading the fire.
Ensure that the area has an even surface to prevent fire from escaping. Then, you can place the pit there when you find a spot you like.
Refrain from making the pit fire if the environment is windy. The wind can serve as a factor in spreading fire.
Step Two: Start the Fire
Pack up a pile of tinder about the size of your palm and place it at the center of the fire pit. Next, place some kindling at the side of the tinder in the fire pit.
Ensure the kindling is compact and has space to allow airflow. Use a lighter or matches to light the fire on the tinder, and then wait a while for the kindling to start burning.
Place some firewood into the burning pit. Make sure to season the firewood before putting it into the pit. You can easily season your firewood by placing it in the sun and allowing it to warm up.
Step Three: Keep the Fire Going
Always watch your fire pit so it doesn’t burn out. Add more kindling and tinder to the pit to maintain the flame.
When the firewood turns black, you’ll need to rotate the pit with new firewood so the fire doesn’t go out.
Step Four: Put out the Fire
When you finish using the fire pit, put out the flames. You may damage the fire pit if you dump water on the pit. Instead, gently sprinkle water on the pit to put out the fire.
Once the fire is out, use a shovel to mix the pit’s ash and embers. When the hissing stops, touch the ash to find out if it is cool and throw it out.
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