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A very hot wake-up call For the most part, city residents are fortunate. Officials say there is a low risk for wildfires to occur within city limits, but the city does have plans in place in case it ever happens. Maricopa Fire and Medical Department Chief Brad Pitassi said the city’s crews are trained to fight wildfires. “We have members with specialized skills for advanced wildland firefighting roles, including former Hot Shots, the elite wildland firefighters,”
Pitassi said. “We have dedicated apparatus for the wildland-urban interface, like brush trucks and a water tender that are deployed to protect the community.” And while the number of wildfires reported in Pinal County dropped drastically over the summer, the experts warned of the potential for more fires through the fall. “The end of our fire season fluctuates from year to year because it really depends on how much moisture we received,” Davila said. “Our
temperatures are going to stay hot for quite some time, so we could see an increase in our fire activity again once the monsoons roll out.” Alcott predicted next year’s fire season could be milder because all the dry kindling was burned through, and this winter should be drier than last. He and Davila both hoped the spike in fires this year would serve as a wake-up call for locals nonetheless. “We just want people to be mindful of the conditions you’re working in,” Davila said. For rural residents, that includes checking weather conditions before doing any outdoor work that could result in a spark, obtaining burn permits, using a spark arrester on tools and having water sources and a shovel nearby in case a fire ignites. Alcott said while residents in unincorporated areas around the county are typically aware of these precautions at least in their subconscious, there’s no harm in a friendly reminder to be a little more conscious during wildfire season. “I’m hoping the experience of this year has heightened everybody’s awareness,” Alcott said. “We all get complacent. You get to a point where you’ve been doing the same thing over and over again. You know, get up on Sunday morning to burn the trash then go inside to watch football. All it takes is once for that fire to get out of hand.”
What began as a tiny brushfire outside of town quickly grew into a 150-acre wildfire in a matter of hours. It wasn’t particularly large, especially when compared to massive headline- grabbing wildfires, but it was a surprising devastation for Delgado. “Before that fire, I wasn’t that concerned about brushfires in the area,” she said. “We would see a small brushfire and think, ‘It’ll get put out.’ You usually don’t think about it or that it will happen near home.” Even three years later, Delgado said she continues to experience post-traumatic stress disorder from the fire. “I still have the crazies. If I see dust rising off in the distance, I panic thinking it’s smoke. If there’s smoke, I really freak out,” she said. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get over it, as far as the flames, the dust, the smoke.” People were going about doing normal activities, but this year was catching them off guard because of the amount of fuel.” TIFFANY DAVILA, DFFM SPOKESPERSON
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SHERIFF: MOST FIRE TICKETS SERVED NEAR MARICOPA
THREE YEARS OF WILDFIRES IN PINAL COUNTY
TOTAL ACRES DESTROYED
This year, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office issued 20 citations for reckless and unlawful burning in the county. Of the 20 citations, 15 were written to residents in unincorporated Maricopa. Two citations resulted in an arrest. The first took place April 23 in San Tan Valley. In this case, two men burned weeds and trash in an empty lot. However, the fire grew out of control and burned down one house. On Aug. 7, PCSO arrested a 36-year-old Sacaton man, Breezy Morago, on charges of reckless burning. The circumstances around that arrest are unknown.
69
70
6,914
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Total 18
Total 42
Total 75
52.5
474
105
32
35
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Total 46,929
Total 242
Total 2,463
17
137
10
17.5
1,988
6
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8
2022
2023
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40,014
2022
105
137
6
2022
2023
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Table 1
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* As of Aug. 28
2023
1,988
474
Human caused
0
Lightning caused
Table 1
Source: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
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2022 2023
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