How northern Arizona homeowners can stay safe during wildfire season
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — Fire season is already here, which means it’s time to make sure you and your property are prepared in case of a fire emergency. Much of the High Country is still well below average for snowfall and snow pack, making fire fuels drier and more flammable than normal.
Monday, there was a small 1.5-acre fire south of town. The Flagstaff Fire Department said it was human-caused. While this one was contained, it’s human-caused fires like it that can turn into catastrophic wildfires. The good news is that these fires can be prevented.
According to the National Park data, 85% of wildfires in the U.S. are human-caused. Mark Adams with the Flagstaff Fire Department said the statistic is even higher in and around Flagstaff.
The Schultz, Pipeline, and year-rounds were all caused by people. “So those catastrophic wildfires are almost 100% human-caused,” Adams said.
While fire season is year-round, Flagstaff is heading into peak fire season. The area received some much-needed spring precipitation, but Flagstaff is still more than 2 feet below normal snowfall. “If we were going to ask for a dry winter and then a wet spring, this is exactly what we needed,” Adams said. “That being said, the lack of snow pack this year is going to have an effect on the dryness of the fuels overall.”
Adams said now is the time to kick fire preparations into gear. For people in the High Country, that means making sure you have defensible space around your home, especially cleaning up loose pine needles.
“Really important to pick up those pine needles around your home,” Adams said. “That’s the No. 1 thing that anybody can do to protect their home against any kind of catastrophic wildlife.”
City workers are placing dumpsters in neighborhoods across Flagstaff for pine needle drop-offs. Neighborhood streets are already lined with piles of trash bags. For more information on this program and what neighborhoods the pine needle bins will be in next, you can visit the city’s website here.
Adams said fire safety is just as important for tourists, so make sure you don’t drag chains and always properly put out campfires. “Make sure that you’re up to date on any restrictions that we have in town,” Adams said. “Any fire restrictions, any smoking restrictions, campfires, stuff like that.”
With more fires expected to start popping up, Adams said local fire crews are preparing. “We’re ready for it,” he said. “We’re bringing on extra staffing.”
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