As fall approaches and the weather cools, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) and local safety advocates are using Firewise Day to drive home a simmering point: wildfire threats persist beyond the summer months. At a recent gathering in The Ranch in Prescott, officials underscored the need for year-round vigilance against wildfire emergencies—last year 70% were human caused—a stark reminder relayed by Fire Safety Committee member Joe Pendergast, who told attendees to "always be careful with campfires, cigarettes, firearms, and chains," according to a statement by YCSO.
This year's wildfires were mostly minor and remote, but still posed significant threats. The Skeleton Fire burned 24,000 acres, and the Ironwood Fire, sparked by an RV, came close to residential areas without causing evacuations. The Farm Fire led to precautionary evacuations for some local ranches but was quickly contained. These incidents highlight the ongoing risks of wildfires caused by human actions, such as target shooting and poor vehicle maintenance. Fire Safety Committee member Joe Pendergast emphasized the potential loss of homes and personal belongings, painting a vivid picture of the stakes involved.
To reduce future fire risks, over 100 lots in The Ranch community have been brought up to Firewise standards in the past year. This has improved the area's wildfire hazard assessment score to a moderate 65, showing a notable improvement from previous years. The Prescott Fire Department highlighted the importance of community involvement in fire prevention, especially given current staffing challenges. The collaboration between residents and first responders is crucial for effectively managing wildfire risks, as reported by YCSO.
Mark Richardson from the YCSO SAR team, one of the oldest in the nation, outlined evacuation protocols, urging residents to follow the instructions of on-site personnel and use official shelters to ensure their safety is properly recorded. This reflects the preparedness ingrained in the team, which handles over 300 calls a year with the help of hundreds of volunteers. YCSO Public Affairs Officer Steve Brazell added that locals should take proactive steps by registering for emergency notifications at ycsoaz.gov, texting alertYAVAPAI to 888777 for alerts, and marking their presence on the Genasys Protect system at protect.genasys.com. These measures aim to enhance preparedness and communication in the face of wildfires, regardless of the season, as detailed by YCSO.
