PHOENIX (AZFamily) – The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management plans to add more staff this Independence Day, July 4th holiday weekend to prevent wildfires caused by fireworks.

According to the agency, 89% of all forest fires this year were caused by humans.

Due to the hot and dry weather, the department fears that the risk of fire starting and spreading is very high if someone sets off fireworks and something goes wrong.

For this reason, they are increasing staffing levels on weekends and are already positioning teams in certain parts of the state.

“Our prevention officers will be patrolling our high-risk areas today and throughout the weekend, such as the I-17 corridor, State Route 74 near Lake Pleasant and the [U.S.] 60,” said Tiffany Davila of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Forest officials will also be deployed in areas such as Pinal County, Wittman, Apache Junction and Gold Canyon. Fire crews are already positioned and ready to respond to northwest, south and central Arizona – all areas that have seen numerous fires.

“They can help with the initial attack and provide a faster response when a fire is reported,” Davila said.

Prevention officers are there to educate and raise awareness, but will call the police if they find someone breaking the law.

Illegal fireworks include anything that takes off from the ground and is thrown into the air.

“Fireworks are not allowed on state or federal lands year-round, regardless of fire regulations,” Davila said.

Fireworks have been shown to cause problems when used in dry areas.

In 2020, the Stage Fire spread to more than 250 acres northwest of New River. Officials say it started after someone set off fireworks.

“We want to remind people that there is a high fire risk,” Davila said.

Davila says there have been nearly 70 more wildfires so far this year than last year and 4,800 hectares more land have burned.

“We are trying to reduce that risk and be proactive with more staff, but residents and visitors also have to do their part,” she said.

Level One fire restrictions are in effect in parts of the state, and regardless, fireworks are not permitted on state or federal lands.

Click/tap here to see which types of fireworks are legal to use in certain parts of the state this week.

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