The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings to Maricopa and PIMA counties starting April 11th. The warning will run until 8pm on April 13th.
The red flag warning indicates strong, gust of wind, low relative humidity and high fire risk. Fires that have occurred or are ongoing can spread rapidly.
See the latest watches and warnings Our Weather Alert Page.
When is the wildfire season in Arizona?
In Arizona, there is no longer a defined wildfire season.
As the Forestry and Fire Management Bureau puts it: “Fires can occur all year round. We emphasize the importance of prevention. We all need to work together to reduce the risk of wildfire across our great condition.”
In 2021, a wildfire in Arizona burned around 500,000 acres. In 2020, we saw even more on over 900,000 acres.
Tiffany Davila, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, said the entire idea of ​​”wildfire season” is no longer relevant in the Southwest.
“We’ve been saying for years there’s no more season. You can start wildfires anytime in Arizona,” Davila said. “That’s why we prepare all year round and don’t want to be complacent, so we promote a preventive message for 365 days a year.”
What should I do during the red flag warning?
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If you are permitted to burn in your area, all combustion barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover with holes of less than or equal to three-quarters of an inch.
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Do not throw away cigarettes or matches from moving cars. They could light dry grass on the side of the road and cause wildfires.
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Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Mix it to make sure it owns with lots of water and everything gets cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal underwater until it gets cold. Throw live charcoal on the ground and don’t leave it behind.
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Do not leave the fire. Sparks and embers can be infused into the leaves and grass, and can spread quickly by igniting the fire.
What is the Red Flag Warning? Things Arizonan needs to know about wildfire conditions
This article uses data generated by the Republic of Arizona and the USA Today network and released by the National Weather Service. Edited by staff.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
This article was originally published in the Republic of Arizona. Red flag warning issued for Maricopa and Pima counties
