2024 Arizona wildfire season: Winter rains fuel summer fire risk
As temperatures rise, Arizona is marching toward a potentially intense, higher-than-normal wildfire season, according to officials.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management forecast that heavier winter rains and snow in recent years have doubled the amount of fuel loads for wildfires in regions of higher risk.
Areas south of the Mogollon Rim, within the Tonto National Forest and across the Sonoran landscapes, down into the Catalinas and Cochise County, may see increased fire activity due to the amount of grass and brush in those areas, according to John Truett, a fire management officer with the department.
That reasoning might sound familiar. What's different in 2024?
In areas with higher levels of dry vegetation and wind, wildfires could ignite quicker and expand more rapidly which makes fires more difficult for firefighters to contain, he said.
Those parts of the state have more than double the amount of fuel loading due to winter rains compared to previous years.
"As we move into spring, and as drier and warmer conditions follow, that fuel dries out very quickly. Areas within the Sonoran Desert and into southern Arizona could see an uptick in fire activity with fires spreading very rapidly," said Truett.
The peak of wildfire season typically occurs between April and early July, but efforts to prepare by forest and fire management are year-round.
Although, wildfire season could be delayed in the high country this season due to the existing snowpack and recent springtime rain that boosted moisture levels.
However, the Forestry Department said the snowpack may melt sooner this year than in previous years. Forecasters say that by May, Arizona could see the start of the typical summer pattern of hot and dry climates which signals the start of wildfire season.
Similar to 2024 predictions, a wet winter delayed the start of fire season in 2023 by one month and led to below-average burn totals in the state. It was similar across the West with heavy snow packs and cooler temperatures slowing the onset of wildfire season.
Refresh on last year's wildfire season: Arizona saw fewer wildfires, acres burned than usual in 2023
Wildfire season didn't begin until late June last year, but a dry monsoon season coupled with intense heat waves created more opportunities for fires in 2023. This year, the forestry department said Arizona will experience a later onset of a shorter monsoon season "leading to a dry late summer and fall," according to Truett.
Wildfires have sprung up in Arizona with one near Florence already, burning about 2,000 acres in the Pinal County area as well as a wildfire in rural Cochise County near the community of Whetstone that burned about 23 acres and prompted evacuations.
"We are getting a little bit more duration and burn period and an acreage size than we normally would have this year," Truett said.
Last year saw the highest number of wildfires since 2020, but the total number of acres burned fell below half of the five-year average for total acres burned.
A look at 2023 wildfire season
Last year, firefighters responded to more than 1,600 wildfires across the state that burned around 180,000 acres, with more than 70% of the fires reportedly human-caused. The Pilot Fire, the largest 2023 wildfire, lasted for more than one month and burned nearly 35,000 acres east of Wikieup in the Mohon Mountains.
Aaron Casem, Arizona's wildfire prevention officer for the forestry department said in a March news conference that the public needs to work in conjunction with state and local agencies to prevent wildfires.
“First, start with your home and property. Look for those venerable areas where seasonal maintenance can come into play as far as creating defensible space," Casem said.
Casem recommended maintaining the space roughly 100 feet surrounding your home if you live near undeveloped land or in areas with high risk.
Trimming bushes and trees, removing combustible items and properly irrigating your yard are the first steps in protecting your home from wildfires. Casem also recommended forming and practicing an evacuation plan, and gathering resources that can be used for up 72 hours in an emergency.
Gov. Katie Hobbs echoed this point at the news conference: Most wildfires are caused by people, which makes the public effort a key factor in preventing them.
In addition to the efforts that can be made to protect your home, it's necessary to abide by fire restrictions set in recreational areas. Never leave campfires unattended and never burn debris on a windy day, officials said.
The summer heat also has an effect on vehicles, which is why it's important to make sure cars and tires are in good condition before getting on the road.
Dragging metal or trailer chains can cause roadside fires, which make up 26% of all wildfires started in Arizona in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2024 Arizona wildfire season: Winter rains fuel summer fire risk
