Vernon Fire District officials recently said some of the fires may have been arson.
APACHE COUNTY, Ariz. — The assistant fire chief for a small community in southern Apache County is warning local residents to be cautious about the “highly unusual” amount of fires that have been reported in recent weeks.
Vernon Fire District Typically, the community north of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation responds to about 12 fires a year. However, the agency said it had already reported up to eight fire-related incidents in the past few weeks alone.
Assistant Fire Chief Nick Perrone recently said at a community meeting that at least three of the recent fires may have been caused by arson.
“The situation could escalate,” Perrone told residents. “If we don't address this situation now and be vigilant about what's happening in our communities… it's going to get much worse.”
According to fire officials, all of the buildings where the fire occurred were unoccupied at the time of the incident.
Perrone added that the fire district's investigation into the fire spree is still in the “early stages,” but Vernon residents are urged to be on the lookout for suspicious individuals lurking around the area.
Additionally, the fire district is asking local residents to put pressure on law enforcement to address the issue.
A spokesperson for the Apache County Sheriff's Office said the Vernon fire is “actively under investigation” but there is no suspect information to release at this time.
Click here for more information on recent fires here.
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Residential fire prevention:
The Arizona Department of Fire and Medical Services has released tips on how to prevent fires in your home.
“More than 4,000 Americans die in fires each year, and approximately 25,000 are injured,” the agency said on its website. “The vast majority of fires occur in homes.”
First of all, officials say every home must have at least one working smoke alarm. To provide the best protection, smoke alarms should be installed on all levels of your home and in all sleeping areas.
Home appliances should be used in the manner recommended by the manufacturer, as overheating, short circuits, and sparks can all lead to the start of a fire.
Finally, families should have an evacuation plan for every room in the house.
“We urge everyone to get low to the floor and be careful not to open doors that are hot when escaping from a fire,” authorities said. “Choose a place where everyone can meet after escaping the house. Go outside and call for help.”
The agency offers free home safety inspections. Call 623-544-5400 to make an appointment.
