ARIZONA, USA — More than 170 fires have burned over 93,000 acres in the Tonto National Forest so far in 2024, and more fires could start amidst dry conditions expected over the next several months.
The rain this year on the northern part of the Tonto National Forest, like near Payson, bringing lightning caused fires like the West and Preacher Fires. Those low intensity fires are being allowed to burn to address excess fuels.
"Normally, if we have a good monsoon season, yes, they bring in lightning fires, but the additional rain that comes in puts out those fires, and that's happened, say, the last couple of years, but that's not the case this year," Blake said.
On the southern part of the forest, human-caused starts and dry fuels from a lackluster monsoon have been keeping crews busy too.
"We're not in fire restrictions right now, so people have to be extra vigilant because we have high temperatures and very low rain," Blake said.
In addition, Ben Wilder, Director of Next Generation Sonoran Desert Researchers says invasive species spreading through the Sonoran Desert can have an impact too.
"It's dry out there and really tender. So those areas that have been heavily impacted and kind of where invasive grasses, or non native grasses, have expanded and are creating a lot of fuels, they are probably more than so than average, combustible or potential sources for fires," Wilder said.
Those invasive species have been found to as sources that can make fires burn hotter, longer and make them more difficult to contain.
The existing risk is in addition to the drier La Niña climate pattern anticipated to have it's impact over the next several months.
"The dry conditions that we may expect to continue for some months now will continue to create a tender condition of these perennial bunch grasses, Buffel grass, Fountain Grass, that are across the landscape in a large area, and that does make them a potential strong fuel source," Wilder said.
With the still active potential for fire, it's a reminder still to be mindful of things that can lead to wildfires.
"The public can help prevent these wildfires and just make sure they're putting out their campfires and properly maintaining their vehicles," Blake said.
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