Take Action on Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
Phoenix, AZ (5/1/2025) – On Saturday, May 3, residents of Oracle and other communities across Arizona will collaborate for Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, a nationwide campaign that encourages residents and organizations to take action to reduce the risk of wildfires.
Held annually on the first Saturday of May, the National Fire Prevention Association’s (NFPA) Wildfire Community Preparedness Day empowers residents through grassroots prevention efforts, including community-centric, collaborative projects and outreach events. With fire season year-round in Arizona, this day plays a vital role in boosting community resilience and preparedness.
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day aligns with the NFPA’s nationally recognized Firewise USA program which also promotes resident collaboration to create defensible space around homes as part of overall community risk reduction efforts. Some communities like Oracle plan to host a preparedness day to help reduce the fire threat to their community. Oracle has been Firewise USA recognized for 20 years and continues to lead by example by opening up their brush pit for the day to residents for a reduced charge. This initiative allows homeowners a safe way to dispose of yard vegetation, including brush, branches, and leaves – encouraging the creation of defensible space around properties.
“This kind of local action is exactly what Preparedness Day is all about,” said Tina Acosta with the Oracle Fire District. “When neighbors work together, we not only reduce the risk of wildfire but also strengthen our sense of community and shared responsibility.”
Other community events supporting Wildfire Community Preparedness Day include, a Firewise Day at Mortimer Farms in Dewey and a fuel removal day for residents of Colina del Norte in Phoenix. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) also plans to host a Home Ignition Zone class in Payson for people interested in learning more about the Firewise USA program and home hardening methods.
DFFM takes the lead for the Firewise USA program as the state’s liaison for the NFPA. Currently, Arizona has 185 recognized Firewise USA communities. So far this year, DFFM’s Prevention Division has onboarded 13 new communities into the program, including the first site in Fountain Hills, with more areas working toward the program’s goals.
“January’s devastating wildfires in California really spiked interest and engagement with our Firewise USA program. Our department remains actively engaged with many communities providing residents with education and outreach assistance along with home assessments as part of the program’s curriculum,” said DFFM’s Prevention Division Chief Aaron Casem. “We must be proactive and not wait until a wildfire is impacting a community.”
Residents can create defensible space around their properties by clearing leaves, pine needs, and debris from roofs, gutters, and decks. Homeowners should remove any dead or dying vegetation, seal or replace roof tiles, and move flammable material such as propane tanks and firewood away from the home. Maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space around structures and talk to neighbors about wildfire planning. Arizonans should also visit their county’s emergency management website to sign up for emergency alerts.
For more information about Firewise USA programs, wildfire mitigation, and local preparedness visit: dffm.az.gov.
