The Latest: Campfire and smoking restrictions to take effect

PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on wildfires and fire conditions in Arizona (all times local):

9 a.m.

Campfire and smoking restrictions will take effect Friday on state lands and federally managed public lands in central and western Arizona because of the risk of wildfires.

An announcement Thursday says the restrictions will be implemented in Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai and Yuma counties as well as parts of Pinal County.

Specific public lands where the restrictions will apply include the Prescott and Tonto national forests and the Colorado River and Phoenix districts of the Bureau of Land Management.

The restrictions include prohibitions on building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove other than in a developed campsite or picnic area where grills are provided.

Also, smoking is prohibited except specific places such as within an enclosed vehicle or building.

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7:50 a.m.

Forecasters report elevated fire danger from dry and windy weather conditions across much of Arizona on Thursday.

A red flag warning issued Thursday by the National Weather Service covers an area extending southward from the Arizona-Utah line north of the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona to nearly all of southern Arizona along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The red flag warning runs from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the National Weather Service reporting very dry conditions and strong gusty winds.