The 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 down 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.
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.
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
- Sign up for the Yavapai County Emergency Notification System
- Yavapai County Emergency Management Website
- Yavapai Firewise Website
- Yavapai County Emergency Management Facebook Page
- Yavapai Communities Wildfire Protection Plan Website
- Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Website
- Yavapai County Sheriff’s Twitter
- Yavapai County Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Yavapai County Emergency Operations Plan
CITY OF SEDONA
TOWN OF CAMP VERDE
CITY OF COTTONWOOD
NATIONAL
COCONINO COUNTY
NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE
VERDE VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
- Making a First Aid Kit by the Red Cross
- Build a Go Bag
- Be Ready for Wildfire Website
- Wildfire Preparedness Checklist for Businesses
- FEMA Fire Safety Checklist for Homeowners and Renters
- Fire Prevention Checklist
- Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan
- NextDoor is a Great Source of Information in an Emergency
- Living With Fire
- Living with Sprinklers Brochure