Arizona Prepares for Intense Wildfire Season Amidst Drought Conditions
As Arizona braces for what could be an intense wildfire season, state officials have briefed Governor Katie Hobbs on the potential challenges ahead. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM), alongside local and federal partners, warns that the combination of extreme drought and dry conditions could lead to widespread and prolonged fire activity throughout the state.
The risk is particularly high in southeastern Arizona, such as Cochise County, where fires are expected to be larger and last longer due to the arid climate. Additionally, the limited moisture levels experienced in Flagstaff and other high-altitude areas this winter could exacerbate fire risks during the typically hot and dry early summer months.
“More than half of the state is in extreme drought status,” states John Truett, DFFM State Fire Management Officer. “That combined with a lackluster winter and spring, in terms of rain and snow, have really put us at a disadvantage statewide.”
Areas south of the Mogollon Rim, including the Sonoran Desert and southern Arizona, may encounter fires of greater intensity. This is attributed to the types and quantities of fuels present, which have been drying out due to minimal precipitation. Before rainfall in March, regions like Yavapai County and the Bisbee and Douglas areas reported historically low live-fuel moisture levels, making vegetation more prone to ignition and rapid fire spread.
Officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared as this fire season approaches. In 2024, Arizona firefighters responded to 2,162 fires, marking a 33% increase from the previous year. Last year saw 282,507 acres of private, state, and federal lands scorched by wildfires in Arizona.
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