PHOENIX — Wildfire season is stretching beyond the summer and into September, as crews work tirelessly both here and in neighboring states like California.
However, Phoenix Fire Capt. Scott Douglas says we can all play a role in the prevention of wildfires and even keep new ones from sparking.
"We're looking at two to three months of degrees that have been in the triple digits consistently and often above 110," Douglas said.
If you've driven along the Beeline Highway or Interstate 17, then you've seen charred burn scars marking this year's devastating wildfires.
Douglas says high heat mixed with very little monsoon moisture makes for monstrous wildfire chances.
"We have conditions that are super amped for wildfires to start, brush fires and take off uncontrollably," he added.
Which is what we've seen with the Bush, Bumble Bee and Pig Fires. Our wet spring spawned a lot of vegetation that fueled wildfires across hundreds of thousands of acres.
"While everything looked wonderful throughout the spring, it's increased the probability of wildfires to start now, while normally we would have more rain to suppress that," he added.
If and when rain is forecasted, there's a fear of massive flooding.
"Some of that land can kind of slide when it gets wet and there's no vegetation to hold it together," Douglas told 12 News.
He adds that's where we can all help in halting new fires from starting and ultimately scarring our landscape.
"Something as small as just a little cigarette butt or like I said, traveling along the roadways, anything that can cause a spark can quickly get out of control with the conditions that we've been dealing with the grass and foliage along our highways along with our homes," he said.
Phoenix crews have wildland training and are called on to help fellow crews contain rapid spreading in neighboring states.
"We help in any way that we can, as well as the other departments around, they send their firefighters to go and assist whether it’s Northern California or Southern California or whatever part of the West that’s needed," Douglas explained.
He asks each of us to be mindful of local and state laws when it comes to campfires, cooking out and keeping our homes clear of brush. It's all in an effort to keep wildfires from sparking.
