Office of the Mayor

Proclamation

WHEREAS, extreme fire danger conditions currently exist within and surrounding the Towns of Eagar and Springerville due to prolonged drought, critically dry vegetation, high temperatures, low relative humidity, and forecasted fire weather conditions; and

WHEREAS, these conditions substantially increase the risk of human-caused wildfire ignitions and the potential for rapid fire growth, threatening public health and safety, private property, municipal infrastructure, natural resources, and neighboring communities; and

WHEREAS, the Town Councils of Eagar and Springerville, in consultation with local fire agencies and emergency management officials, have determined that additional restrictions are necessary to reduce the likelihood of wildfire ignitions;

NOW, THEREFORE, I Guy Phelps, Mayor of the Town of Eagar, and I Richard Davis, Mayor of the Town of Springerville, do hereby proclaim that an emergency does exist and that the following restrictions are effective until such time as the fire danger abates:

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

The following activities are prohibited within the corporate limits of the Towns of Eagar and Springerville and on any municipal-owned property, except as specifically exempted below:

1. Open Fires and Campfires

Building, maintaining, attending, or using any fire, campfire, charcoal fire, coal fire, wood stove, or other open flame fire, including fires within developed parks, campgrounds, recreational facilities, or other public areas.

Devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or liquid petroleum fuels that can be turned on and off are permitted only when used in an area barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device.

2. Smoking

Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or enclosed building.

3. Firearms

Discharging a firearm is prohibited except while engaged in a lawful hunt conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, tribal, and local laws and regulations, where otherwise permitted.

4. Mechanical and Industrial Operations

The following activities are prohibited:

a. Operating any internal combustion engine not otherwise exempted herein;

b. Welding, cutting, grinding, or operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame;

c. Using any explosive.

EXEMPTIONS

The following activities are exempt from these restrictions:

1. Persons possessing a written permit issued by the Round Valley Fire and Medical Department, or an authorized municipal official specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited activity.

2. Emergency repairs and operations conducted by public works departments, utility providers, telecommunications providers, contractors performing emergency services, and other critical infrastructure operators when approved mitigation measures are implemented to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief or designee.

3. Industrial, commercial, utility, agricultural, and infrastructure operations may continue when specific activities and mitigation measures have been reviewed and approved by the Fire Chief or designee.

4. Operation of internal combustion engines equipped with an approved spark-arresting device when operated within an enclosed vehicle, enclosed building, or in an area barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the equipment. This exemption includes commercially manufactured landscaping, grounds maintenance, and property maintenance equipment including lawn mowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, and similar equipment equipped with manufacturer-required spark arresting devices and operated in a manner that does not create an ignition hazard.

5. Operation of motorized vehicles on designated roads and streets, provided vehicles are parked only in areas devoid of vegetation within ten (10) feet of the roadway.

6. Activities conducted in specifically designated areas where such activities are authorized by written posted notice.

7. Federal, state, county, municipal, tribal, law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical, public safety, and emergency response personnel engaged in the performance of official duties.

8. Discharge of firearms at officially designated and authorized shooting ranges where approved fire prevention measures are in place.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of these restrictions may constitute violations of applicable municipal ordinances, state laws, fire codes, or other applicable regulations and may be subject to citations, fines, cost recovery, or other enforcement actions authorized by law.

Law enforcement officers, fire department personnel, code enforcement officials, and other authorized personnel are empowered to enforce these restrictions.

All permits and exemptions issued pursuant to this proclamation shall automatically be suspended during any National Weather Service Red Flag Warning affecting Apache County unless specifically authorized by the Fire Chief or designee.

The Fire Chief or designee is authorized to interpret, administer, suspend, revoke, and impose conditions upon any exemption or permit issued under this proclamation

1. This Proclamation becomes effective at 6:00 am on June 25, 2026 and will remain in force until rescinded.

Signed this 24th day of June 2026

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto IN WITNESSWHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed set my hand and caused to be affixed

the Seal of the Town of Eagar. the Seal of the Town of Springerville

Guy Phelps, Eagar Mayor

Richard Davis, Springerville Mayor

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