Firefighters explain how to prepare your property with looming fire season

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — Most of the state is in a severe to extreme drought right now with little winter precipitation and above-average temperatures making for prime wildfire conditions.

According to the National Weather Service fire fuels, like grass and pine needles, are drier than average across the state.

Tiffany Davila with the Department of Forestry and Fire Management said the combination of dry fuels and heat could impact the upcoming fire season.

“Because of the dry fuel on the ground we could see an earlier start to our fire season,” Davila said.

She said the state is preparing for fire season by reducing these fuels and getting fire crews ready, but there’s only so much they can do if the public doesn’t do their part.

“We can go out and treat thousands of acres every year working with our federal partners,” Davila said. “But it all boils down to personal responsibility.”

The state has a Firewise initiative which includes a program where firefighters will do a walk through with homeowners and point out what could make their homes safer.

Flagstaff Fire also has a similar program. One resident, Tuesday Star Kelley, recently had her home looked at.

“I have a paranoia about fire,” Kelley said. “As the drought keeps getting worse, we keep trying to do more and more to be as fire safe as possible.”

Mark Adams with the Flagstaff Fire Department said last month they did about 70 of these home checks in the area.

“It makes me feel good to point out things that people weren’t aware of beforehand,” Adams said. “We find that if we can get somebody to take one action to protect their home, they’re going to take it the next step further.”

Kelley only had a few things to fix on her property but said she felt better after the walk through.

Adams said the best things homeowners can do is pick up line needles and have defensible space of at least 5 feet from the house.

However, he said fire safety is a community effort.

“If one house does it, but the rest of the block doesn’t it only goes so far,” Adams said.

He wants residents to know not to get anxious about fire season just yet, as people generally tend be safer with fire when it’s drier.

There are many fire departments around the state that will do a walk through of your home. Click/tap here to learn more about those programs.

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