2019 Wildfire Awareness Week - Prevention is Key

Phoenix, AZ (4/5/19)  - The adage is true. One spark can start a wildfire – just like the Sawmill Fire in Southern Arizona.

And every year, people continue to be the number one cause of wildfires in Arizona.

With the abundance of winter moisture across the state, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management wants to remind people not to get complacent.

Sunday kicks off Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week with this year’s theme, ‘Prevention today for protection tomorrow.’

The goal of the week is to promote actions that prevent human-caused wildfires and reduce the risk of wildfire to homes and our Arizona communities. And prevention is key when it comes to wildfire risk reduction.

Homeowners can do simple tasks to keep wildfire threat low by creating defensible space around their property.

Drivers can help by insuring tow chains are secure, never tossing cigarette butts out the window, and making sure the vehicle – and tires are in good condition before getting on the road.

To promote the week, DFFM will be focused on increased social media marketing and public service announcements.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will also be putting up messaging on their highway signs, including “Don’t Drag Chains, One Spark Can Start a Wildfire.”

Recently, DFFM released a mobile phone application as another tool to provide wildfire information, fire restriction details, and fire prevention tips. You can download the free app by searching the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management on the iTunes or Google Play stores. 

This year, Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week runs April 7-13 and is a joint collaboration between DFFM, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildfire Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and New Mexico State Forestry Division.

For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at [email protected]