Christina Estes/KJZZ

South Mountain Park in Phoenix.

Phoenix will ban open fires in certain city parks starting May 1. The ban applies to open wood and charcoal fires in 10 desert parks and preserves.

Higher temperatures, dry vegetation and frequent high winds contribute to extreme fire danger. Propane or gas grills are allowed only in established picnic areas.

The ban applies to:

• Camelback Mountain
• Deem Hills Recreation Area
• Lookout Mountain
• Papago Park
• Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area
• Phoenix Mountains Preserve
• Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
• North Mountain Park
• Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
• South Mountain Park/Preserve

To protect their property from potential brush fires, residents with adjacent to the city’s preserves should create a 10-foot “buffer zone” by removing dry shrubs, brush and grasses and trimming dread tree branches. Phoenix also suggests residents check irrigation lines and pool back-flush hoses to make sure water isn’t seeping into the preserve because outside sources encourage dense vegetation growth, which increases fire risk.

Fireworks and smoking outside vehicles continue to be prohibited year-round.

The open wood and charcoal fire ban does not does not apply to flatland parks such as Steele Indian School, Encanto and Hance parks.