Preparing for emergencies

News Release  

Date:               May 25, 2022

Contact:          Dan Barnes, Chief of Police

Phone:             (928) 368-8803

Email:              dbarnes@pinetoplakesideaz.gov

Effective Thursday, May 26, 2022, the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside, in cooperation with the White Mountain Fire Coordinating Group, will be initiating the Town’s Fire Restrictions for those areas within the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside.  These restrictions are:

A.    The following acts are prohibited until further notice on all public and private property:

1.    Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood including fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites.

2.    Smoking outside of designated areas.

3.    Outdoor Mechanical and Industrial Prohibitions.

a.    Operating any internal combustion engine during mechanical or industrial operations that would produce open flames or sparks.

b.    Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

4.    Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

B.    Exemptions.

1.    Persons with written permits that specifically authorize the otherwise prohibited act.

2.    Industrial operations where specific operations and exemptions are identified, and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.

3.    Smoking within an enclosed building and inside vehicles is allowed. Smoking may also be allowed in or on porches, carports, garages, parking lots and other areas or properties which are cleared of all combustible materials so long as the smoking does not create a substantial risk of fire. Throwing or discarding lit cigarettes, cigars, or other smoking materials from a vehicle or from one’s possession out of doors is prohibited.

4.    Persons operating internal combustion engines with spark arrestors such as lawnmowers and landscaping equipment in maintained landscaped space.

5.    Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, in an enclosed or developed area designated for that purpose that is equipped with appropriate fire protection.

6.    Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device.

7.    Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the generator.

8.    Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails so long as you park in an area devoid of vegetation within ten (10) feet of the roadway.

9.    Emergency repair of public utilities and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.

10.   Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.

11.   Any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

 An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

All citizens and visitors are reminded that Stage 2 fire and smoking restrictions are in effect on National Forest land within city limits and in most Northeastern Arizona communities.  

During “red flag warning,” “wind advisory” or “high wind warning” conditions, no open outdoor fires, campfires, charcoal fires, or outdoor smoking is permitted on either public or private property within the Town.