As Arizona braces for the challenges of the 2025 wildfire season, a special Town Hall in Payson has spotlighted collaborative efforts for wildfire mitigation. During the meeting, Corporation Commissioner Vice Chair Nick Myers noted the importance of strong partnerships in addressing the wildfire threat. "This year’s wildfire mitigation town hall once again confirmed for me that Arizona has strong partnerships between utilities, government agencies, emergency responders, and local communities that proactively address the growing threat of wildfires," said Vice Chair Myers in a statement made by the AZCC.
Utility companies like APS, SRP, and TEP have stepped up with new and ongoing wildfire mitigation strategies, such as tree and vegetation management and grid hardening. The utilities presented their efforts and discussed the Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) program, designed as a last-resort measure to preemptively shut off power in extreme fire-risk conditions. In a recent expansion, APS announced its PSPS program would include parts of Pinal and Navajo counties, impacting approximately 65,000 customers.
Arizona's Department of Forestry & Fire Management also shared details on its wildfire mitigation treatments, which involve a mix of logging, mastication, chemical treatments, and prescribed fires. These efforts treated nearly 24,000 acres of state land last year. Vice Chair Myers emphasized the role of the public in wildfire preparation, urging them to "maintain defensible space around your home and make sure your contact information is up to date with both your utility and county emergency management," as noted by the AZCC.
The collaborative spirit extended to elected officials and staff from state and federal levels, encouraged by Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson to disseminate vital information to their constituents. Commissioner Rachel Walden praised the town hall for ensuring transparency and engaging the community on wildfire concerns. The Commission highlighted its commitment to raising awareness by approving a resolution declaring May 2025 as National Wildfire Awareness Month, with the details available through AZCC.gov.
