LOS ANGELES, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Governor of the U.S. state of Arizona Doug Ducey on Friday declared a state of emergency in response to increased wildfire activity in the state.

The governor authorized 200,000 U.S. dollars of emergency funds and requested the State Emergency Council to provide additional resources as needed to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

The state of emergency would last until additional funds were made available when the next fiscal year begins on July 1, according to the declaration issued by Ducey.

The declaration also said the state was experiencing an unusually active fire season with high temperatures and winds.

Arizona has seen more than 12 large wildfires since April.

"We thank the many brave men and women who have stepped up and responded to wildfires around Arizona," Ducey told local KVOA TV station. "I'm issuing today's declaration to make sure they have every resource needed to do their jobs and protect our communities."

Meanwhile, local KNAU radio reported Friday that the heavy wildfire smoke from the San Francisco Peaks in the Flagstaff area, a city 640 km northeast to Los Angeles, forced local health department to issue an urgent recommendation to advise residents to limit outdoor exertion.

In addition, those with heart or lung disease, asthma, as well as young children and the elderly should avoid going outside entirely, the recommendation said.