As anyone living in the Verde Valley surely noticed, the area was hit by a wet winter. More rainfall has led to wetter ground and more vegetation. The fire agencies of the Verde Valley collectively agreed to allow for a later start to fire season in the area, extending the time period when individuals were permitted to burn beyond the end of May.
But as of June 14, that burn season is officially over, and fires are no longer allowed in the area without a permit.
With the temperature heating up, the vestiges of that wet winter are losing their ability to protect people from potential fires. On the contrary, the added vegetation could mean more potential fuel to burn.
“The predictions for this season are for an active fire season at elevations below 4,500 feet in elevation. This includes grass/brush and desert environments,” Copper Canyon Fire and Medical Authority Fire Chief Terry Keller wrote in an email. “The wet winter, which actually was extended until just recently, has helped to keep the fuels in the timber environment very moist, which will likely limit any large fire development in these fuel types. The wet winter, however has also resulted in an abundance of grass type fuels, which are now dry or drying out. These grasses are a bit taller than normal and already are demonstrating that they will allow a fire to spread, especially if it is pushed by wind. The brush is still pretty green and moist, but once we start to see regular 100-degree days, this too will dry out and add to the potential for fire growth.”
With the temperature hitting those heights and the land drying, the CCFMA has begun expressing its safety guidelines through the adage, “One less spark, one less fire.” Keller pointed to numerous ways that residents or visitors could accidentally start off a fire, such as chains dragging from cars, welding, grinding, cutting, gasoline- powered equipment or open burning with a permit, and highlighted the importance of both ensuring that any fires are put out, and having a hose or extinguisher handy.
“In general, we recommend that you clip at least 30 feet out from all your buildings,
structures, decks and otherwise and that you make sure to remove all your dead plants, your grass, and weeds, all dead vegetation out at least 30 feet, including dried leaves or pine needles,” Cottonwood Fire Department Chief Mike Kuykendall said. “You want to keep your trees trimmed, keep branches at least ten feet from other trees, because it can perhaps spread from tree to tree. If at all possible, you want to keep branches at least 10 feet from your structure.”
Kuykendall recommended individuals check out www.readyforwildfire.org in order to find more details on fire prepared- ness, and also added that people should make sure to keep lids on grills, and keep them somewhat away from a house.
Keller added a warning about the potential flammability of wooden fences, which can be an easy transition from a small fire in kindling like dead leaves or grass to a larger structure like a house and warned to keep them clear of flammable substances.
