(St. George, UT) - Fire Managers for the Arizona Strip District announced today that fire restrictions have been lifted on most portions of the Arizona Strip. Rainfall and lower temperatures in northwestern Arizona have reduced the risk of wildland fires enough to allow managers to lift some fire restrictions. Fire restrictions have been lifted on all portions of the Arizona Strip District, except in the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area and Campground, located south of St. George off the Cedar Pockets Interchange of Interstate 15. Restrictions at the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area and Campground are still in place due to presence of abundant, dry cheat grass in the area. Visitors to the recreation area and campground may use white gas and propone stoves; however, charcoal, briquettes, open campfires, and open flames are strictly prohibited. Campfires outside of the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area and Campground are allowed. While restrictions have been lifted, fire managers continue to encourage the public to use extreme caution with the use of fires and to be mindful of other activities that may start a fire including off road driving, grinding, welding or cutting of metal and target shooting in areas that are adjacent to wildland fuels.

Fire managers also reported that Color Country Fire Crews have made significant progress on fires throughout the Strip with the majority of fires now called out including; Hodgets Canyon, Le Fevre, MM19, Cash, and Sleeper.