The Forest Service continues to find unattended campfires in Arizona's high country in spite of a fire ban that has been in place for weeks.

The Forest Service banned campfires in late April to reduce the chance of wildfires during the coronavirus outbreak.

The agency hoped that fewer fires would mean fewer fire camps. Brady Smith, a spokesman for Coconino National Forest, said the camps are like small cities.

“With fire camps, it’s going to be extremely difficult to do any kind of social distancing, especially with hotshot crews,” Smith said.

Yet rangers for three of Arizona’s forests have found more than 200 abandoned campfires since the ban took effect.

Tonto National Forest reported 82 abandoned fires. Coconino reported at least 120 from early May through early June.

Apache-Sitgreaves reported 48 abandoned fires. The forests have issued hundreds of warnings and citations as well.

Smoldering campfires can last days, even weeks.

Dry, windy conditions can fan coals and send sparks into the forest. 

The campfire ban is scheduled to last through June.