What began as a permitted trash or brush pile burn on March 30 ended up becoming an out of control grass fire. A resident in the Taylor Farms area got the proper permit to burn a pile of trash or brush but wind gusts quickly spread the fire and at 11:45 a.m. a concerned neighbor called the Taylor-Snowflake Fire & Medical Department (TSFMD). “Had the wind been blowing the other direction the house could have been in trouble,” said TSFMD Chief William Nelson.
When Engine 41 arrived on scene, the fire had reached approximately half an acre in size. As the wind picked up the fire quickly grew to six acres. TSFMD got the fire under control with some additional assistance from the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department but it spread very quickly. It took nearly three hours to put the fire out and take care of hot spots.
“The fire stopped where the homeowners maintained their property,” said Nelson about the neighbor’s house. This is a reminder of how important defensible space is even in an area such as Snowflake and Taylor where there may not be thick trees compared to areas like Pinetop or Lakeside, but grass fires can be just as dangerous especially when fueled by high winds. Dried brush, bushes or trees, and woodpiles right next to a house can be very dangerous. “Even a simple grass fire can be a risk,” said Nelson.
Navajo County has adopted the statewide Ready, Set, Go program that recommends a clear area next to homes of 30 to 70 feet or to the property line.
This is an extreme drought year and it is expected to be a bad fire season and residents are encouraged to take defensible space seriously to help protect homes. “It is important for homeowners to move combustible items away from their home,” said Nelson.
