Wildfire

Arizona's hot, dry climate is perfect for wildfires. In fact, more than 1,500 wildfires occur in Arizona each year. Wildfires often begin unnoticed and can spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. You can reduce the effects of wildfire if you prepare your home, business and family. Follow the Ready, Set, Go! program to learn what actions to take before an emergency and during an evacuation.

• ​ BE Prepared
• TAKE Action
• BE Informed

BE Prepared

Get Ready - prepare your family, home and property

Family

• Build an emergency go kit
• Make a family communications plan
  • Plan several escape routes away from your home - by car and by foot.
• People start most wildfires—Learn how to properly extinguish a campfire, and find out how you can promote and practice wildfire safety.

"Know Before You Go": Check the current fire restrictions before heading out onto national, tribal, state and local lands.

Home and Property

• Have Their Backs. Learn to live Firewise®.
  • Create a 30 to 100-foot safety zone around your home by removing vegetation and other flammable materials Don’t forget to check the rain gutters and under the deck.
  • Creating this “defensible space” protects your home and the firefighters that may have to defend it.
  • Clear items that will burn from around the house or other structures, including wood piles, lawn furniture, barbecue grills, tarp coverings, etc. Move them outside of your defensible space.
  • Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and other structures on the property.
  • Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address.
  • Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it.

TAKE Action

Take action when a wildfire is in your area

• If you are not ordered to evacuate, know the  actions to take to be SET just in case.
• If advised to evacuate, make sure you Go! Immediately.
• Learn more about the steps to take to be prepared for evacuation with Ready, Set, Go!  

After a Wildfire

• If you have evacuated, do not enter your home until fire officials say it is safe.
• Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles and downed wires.
• Follow public health guidance on safe cleanup of fire ash and safe use of masks.

BE Informed

• Know the emergency plans for your area.
• Be aware of post-wildfire hazards, primarily flooding and landslides.
  • Large-scale wildfires dramatically alter the terrain and ground conditions. Wildfires leave the ground barren and unable to absorb water, creating conditions for flash flooding and mudflows. Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored—up to 5 years after a wildfire.
  • Flooding after fire is often more severe, as debris and ash left from the fire can form mudflows. As rainwater moves across charred ground, it can also pick up soil and sediment and carry it in a stream of floodwaters.
• Know Before You Go. Get Fire Restriction information at http://firerestrictions.us/az or 1-877-864-6985.
• For information on active wildfires in Arizona, visit the state InciWeb webpage.
• Stay informed with daily, weekly and monthly Fire Potential Outlook reports from Southwest Coordination Center Predictive Services.
• Monitor local air quality conditions.
• Check out these additional resources:
  • Evacuating During a Wildfire
  • Fire Restrictions
  • Health Effects of Smoke
  • Seven Steps to Protect Your Home, Property
  • Wildfire Resources
  • ADEQ Portable Particulate Monitors
  • ADEQ Daily Prescribed Fire Approvals