Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week Begins: Teamwork is Key When it Comes to Wildfire Prevention and Risk Reduction
Phoenix, AZ (3/27/23) – Every year, wildfires burn thousands of acres across the state. Fires destroy properties, harm Arizona’s natural resources, impact critical infrastructure, and disrupt lives. And every year, people continue to cause more than half of the state’s fires. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, along with its federal and tribal counterparts work diligently throughout the year collaborating on fuels reduction projects and providing public outreach and education opportunities to reduce wildfire risk.
As the Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week gets underway this week, there is no better theme than, “Preparing Together.” The goal of “Preparing Together” echoes that constant teamwork between all state, federal, and tribal agencies. But residents and visitors must do their parts too because it takes a team to prevent wildfires.
Last year, according to DFFM’s Arizona Dispatch Center, 1,444 wildfires were reported across all land jurisdictions, including State Trust, private, federal, and tribal. Of those fires, 941 were human caused. In total, 124,323 acres burned statewide in 2022.
Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week provides agencies a way to amplify wildfire prevention and outreach messaging prior to the state’s critical fire time frame. To promote the week, DFFM and partners will focus on increased social media messaging, public service announcements, and public outreach events. On Monday, March 27, DFFM kicks off the week with Governor Katie Hobbs to host the agency’s annual wildland fire outlook briefing at the State Capitol.
Over the last few months, a remarkable level of moisture provided much-welcomed relief to the drought-stricken state. But, with all of that moisture comes the potential for high fire activity in certain parts of Arizona. Once conditions dry out and temperatures warm up, a dry and dense fuel bed remains susceptible for ignitions. The potential exists for rapid moving wildfire within the grasslands where winds and terrain can influence fire behavior making it challenging for firefighters to contain.
Even with all of the rain and snow, people must not become complacent when working, recreating and playing outdoors. Always check the weather forecasts before burning debris, have a water source and shovel nearby, never burn on windy days, and use a spark arrester on tools. A bit of vehicle preventative maintenance goes a long way to keeping your travels and roadways safe. Check tires for any damage and proper pressure inflation. Tire blowouts have been known to cause fires. Always secure tow chains and never pull a vehicle off the road and into tall grass. Put out campfires completely: drown, stir and repeat. Target shooting and fireworks are never permitted on State Trust Lands. Fireworks are also not allowed on federal lands.
Homeowners can do their part by creating defensible space across their properties. Home repair, seasonal cleanup, taking care of plants, and removing trash and debris from around the home are just a few ways to prepare your home for wildfire.
This year, Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week runs March 26 – April 1, and is a joint collaboration between DFFM, the Bureau of Land Management, the USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, and New Mexico Forestry Division.
For more fire prevention or community protection tips, visit wildlandfire.az.gov or Firewise USA. Download DFFM’s free mobile phone application from the iTunes or Google Play stores for additional resources, such as wildfire smoke forecasts, wildfire and fire prevention information, forestry resources and much more.
