Tunnel Fire in Flagstaff ArizonaThe American Southwest is experiencing the worst drought in the past 1,200 years. Coupled with rising temperatures due to climate change and conditions are ripe for wildland fire.

In early 2022 the Tunnel Fire near Flagstaff burned 20,000 acres of National Forest land while the Crooks Fire near Prescott burned nearly 10,000 acres.

Residents of the Verde Valley need to be prepared to take quick action in the event of a fast-moving fire. This is particularly true for areas like the Village of Oak Creek, Cornville, and Sedona where there are limited exit routes.

It is critically important for you to recognize that you have personal responsibility for making your property safe and for preparing to respond to a wildfire. We urge you to take steps now to prepare for seasonal threats.

Scroll to the bottom of this page (or click here) for a detailed list of resources to help you prepare.

A July 28 2020 article in azcentral.com documented that many of the smaller communities in the American West have a higher wildfire hazard potential than Paradise, California. Paradise was completely burned to the ground by a 2018 fire. Included below is a screenshot of the article analyzing Sedona’s wildfire hazard potential. Please note the following:

  • Of the small towns analyzed, Sedona’s wildfire potential of 3.87 was significantly higher than the median of 2.08.
  • Sedona’s evacuation constraint was so high (2,091) that it fell completely off the chart. The median was 110.0.

This analysis should be the reason for significant concern, highlighting the threat that wildfire poses specifically to Sedona, but also to the entire Verde Valley.

Keep Sedona Beautiful urges you to:

  • Make your property Firewise Firewise
  • Sign up for all emergency notifications (see below)
  • Know how to monitor events on social media (see below)
  • Have a “Go Bag” ready
  • Have at least 2 escape routes identified

Making Your Property Firewise

One way to mitigate your risk of wildfire is to contact the Fire Department serving your area to request a Firewise inspection. Most Fire Departments perform these free of charge, educating you on how to decrease fire risk to your home. If you rent or live in an apartment, ask your landlord if they would have a Firewise inspection performed.

To protect your home from wildfire, follow these Firewise principles:

Use fire-resistant building materials:

  • Install non-flammable roofing and siding materials.
  • Use double-paned or tempered glass for windows.

Maintain your property:

  • Regularly clean roof surfaces and gutters.
  • Remove branches within 10 feet of chimneys and stovepipes.
  • Keep propane tanks away from buildings and clear of vegetation.

Create fuel breaks:

  • Maintain a 15-foot spacing between shrubs to minimize fuel loading.
  • Remove low-hanging branches up to 15 feet to eliminate ladder fuels.

Keep embers from igniting your home (click on image below)

 

Create defensible space around your home

Zone 1: Immediate Zone (0-5 feet from structures)

  • Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers.
  • Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
  • Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8-inch metal mesh screening.
  • Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8-inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
  • Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
  • Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches. 

Zone 2: Intermediate Zone (5-30 feet from structures)

  • Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios, and decks.
  • Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches.
  • Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns.  Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height.
  • Space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns with the distance increasing with the percentage of slope.
  • Tree placement should be planned to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure.
  • Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape.
  • Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks.

Zone 3: Extended Zone (30-100 feet from structures)

  • Remove of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris.
  • Remove dead plant and tree material.
  • Remove small conifers growing between mature trees.
  • Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area.
  • Trees 30 -60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops.
  • Trees 60-100 feet from the home should have at least 6 feet between the canopy tops.

Your local Fire District offers free residential property assessments to help identify specific vulnerabilities on your property

Evacuation Preparedness: Ready, Set, Go!

Arizona uses the “Ready, Set, Go!” evacuation framework. Understanding each phase will help you respond appropriately during an emergency:

READY – Prepare now – don’t wait and be too late

  • Create a Family Emergency Communication Plan with meeting locations and emergency contacts
  • Pack a “Go Bag” for each family member containing:
    • Important documents (insurance, medical information, identification) in waterproof container
    • Three-day supply of medications and first aid supplies
    • Three-day supply of non-perishable food and water (1 gallon per person per day)
    • Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries
    • N95 respirator masks for smoke protection
    • Changes of clothing and sturdy shoes
    • Personal hygiene items
    • Phone chargers and portable battery packs
    • Cash in small bills
    • Pet supplies including carriers, food, and medications
  • Make a home inventory with photos/videos of possessions for insurance purposes
  • Plan multiple evacuation routes from your neighborhood (at least 2-3 different directions)
  • Identify temporary lodging options (hotels, friends/family outside the area)
  • Practice your evacuation plan with all household members

SET – Be Alert

  • Monitor emergency notifications and be ready to leave
  • Ensure your vehicle is fueled and parked facing outward for quick departure
  • Place your Go Bags and emergency supplies in your vehicle
  • Bring outdoor furniture, propane tanks, and other flammable items inside
  • Close all windows, vents, doors, and fireplace screens
  • Turn off gas at the meter and pilot lights
  • Turn on exterior lights to increase visibility for firefighters
  • Move flammable furniture away from windows and doors

GO! – Evacuate Immediately

  • Leave as soon as evacuation is ordered—do not delay
  • Follow recommended evacuation routes and avoid shortcuts through unfamiliar areas
  • Drive carefully with headlights on and be alert for emergency vehicles
  • Take your Go Bags, emergency supplies, and pets
  • If trapped, call 911 immediately and provide your exact location

During an Evacuation Order

  • Leave immediately when instructed—waiting too long can be deadly.
  • Wear long sleeves, pants, and a face covering to protect against embers and smoke.
  • Turn off gas, propane, and electrical systems if time allows.
  • Close all windows and doors to slow fire spread.
  • Follow designated evacuation routes and avoid shortcuts that may be closed or unsafe.

Returning Home After a Wildfire

  • Wait for official clearance before returning.
  • Check for hot spots, embers, and structural damage before re-entering your home.
  • Be cautious of weakened trees and debris.
  • Wear protective gear when cleaning up fire-affected areas.

Fire Alert Stages on the National Forest

National Forest Districts can restrict activity based on fire conditions. They use a 3-stage alert system that is fully explained here.

  • Stage 1 prohibits smoking outside and igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes as well as smudge pots.
  • Stage 2 also prohibits blasting, welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame. It also prohibits operating a generator, chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or firewood gathering capable of igniting a fire. There are some exceptions, noted in the full explanation.
  • Stage 3 is a closure of the impacted area.

 

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES

ARIZONA

YAVAPAI COUNTY

CITY OF SEDONA

TOWN OF CAMP VERDE

CITY OF COTTONWOOD

NATIONAL

COCONINO COUNTY

NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE

VERDE VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION