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The Tucson Parks and Recreation Department reopened its park ramadas on Monday for rent for groups of fewer than 75 people. This move is in line with Pima County's department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, which opened park facilities for rent in late March.
According to Tucson Parks and Rec, ramadas are reserved for the full day (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) for $25 for city residents and $30 for non-city residents. Some ramadas are equipped with electricity, picnic tables, grills, nearby playground equipment, restrooms and other amenities. Alcohol and amusement equipment permits are purchased separately.
Ramadas are available for rent at Reid Park, Fort Lowell Park, El Pueblo Park, Rudy Garcia Park, Escalante Park, Himmel Park and more.
Power at the ramadas is not guaranteed. Picnic tables are available, but Parks and Rec cannot guarantee their placement at specific ramadas. Open-pit fires are prohibited. Reservations may be made up to one year in advance.
For more information, visit tucsonaz.gov/parks/reservations-and-rentals
Arizona already has seen a few fires this year, and experts say the state is likely to experience another major year for wildfires.
In April alone, the Margo Fire in Pinal County burned about 1,100 acres, and another blaze continues to burn southwest of Heber. On Monday, a fire started southeast of Whiteriver and has burned 1,300 acres, according to InciWeb. Tiffany Davila, public affairs officer for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said there likely will be widespread fire activity across the state by June.
One reason, Davila said, is plentiful dried vegetation that fuels fire.
“When we’re talking about early activity in those particular areas, central and southern Arizona, we still have a carryover of fine fuel from last year and some unburned areas,” Davila said. “It’s just pretty much an abundance of this grass fuel type.”
Arizona had one of the driest monsoon seasons on record last year, and much of the state is in severe to exceptional drought. That’s not expected to change any time soon.
Sunday, May 2, 2021
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