From a recent declaration of drought to intense windstorms that are triggering red flag warnings, the residents of Navajo County are bracing for a rough fire season.
Even though the areas of Holbrook and Winslow are not in the Wildland Urban Interface area, fast moving grass fires can be equally devastating. “It’s easy to become complacent,” said Navajo County Communications Manager and Public Information Officer Adam Wolfe. “A grass fire burns much faster and it’s not easy to get ahead of it.”
Navajo County Emergency Management (NCEM) Interim Director Catrina Jenkins added, “Fires are not just about the big trees; embers from burning grass can ignite structures and create devastating fires.”
Within that, Jenkins reminds residents that if they are planning to burn weeds or slash on their properties, they need to get a burn permit from either the city they live in, or from the county, if they are in the unincorporated areas.
“Every burn permit has listed rules and regulations for burning,” noted Jenkins. Within those rules are numbers to call to find out whether burning is allowed that day and who to report your burn to. “Any red flag day is a definite ‘no’ to burning,” Jenkins said.
Burning without a permit is illegal and law enforcement can take action against the perpetrator. Jenkins also wanted to make it clear that if any fire gets out of control and burns property, it is the responsibility of the party who started the fire to pay restitution.
Wolfe cited the Wallow Fire as an example of a campfire that got out of control. The two cousins, Caleb and David Malboeuf, believed that their campfire was out when they left for a hike that morning on May 29, 2011, never thinking for one moment that it would start the largest fire in Arizona history. In the end, the cousins were charge with class B misdemeanors, with each getting two days in jail, 200 hours of community service and five years of probation.
Jenkins also cited a recent fire in Taylor, where the homeowners had created a defensible space around their properties. “When the fire raced through, it was amazing to see where it stopped,” said Jenkins. No structures were burned and the fire was quickly brought under control as a result of the defensible spaces. “Everyone needs to create that space,” Jenkins added.
With summer approaching and camping trips being planned, it is important to “know before you go.” Before heading out on that trip or building a campfire, folks should check for current fire restrictions by visiting the 311info.net or firerestrictions.us websites. Red flag days will be listed on the Navajo County Facebook page as well. No fires, campfires or debris fires are allowed on red flag days.
Wolfe said when building a campfire it is critical to have three feet cleared in every direction, including the canopy. “People forget to look up and check the canopy above the fire,” said Wolfe. “It needs to be clear to the sky.”
When leaving a fire, Jenkins reminds everyone, “If the fire is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.” She recommends that a campfire be watered down and then stirred with more water or dirt added and more stirring until it can be touched. “Don’t leave a campfire unattended for any reason and ‘know before you go’ whether you can build a fire,” said Jenkins.
