Fraction of Arizona land burned by wildfires this year compared to last

PHOENIX — Wildfires are ravaging through western states, most notably California, but an Arizona official said the state has seen a lot fewer fires this year compared to last.

Tiffany Davila with the Arizona Forestry and Fire Management told KTAR News 92.3 FM that there have been about 110,000 acres in Arizona that were burned by wildfires this year.

This time last year, she added, that number topped 402,000 acres.

But Davila said despite the arrival of the monsoon season rainfall, Arizona is not out of the woods yet.

“We’re seeing a good amount of moisture this year from monsoon season, but not every part of the state has been impacted with rain,” Davila said.

“We are seeing lightning strike fires right now,” she added.

“It is monsoon season, we’re getting a lot of those lightning spark fires. They’re mostly burning in the back country of the wilderness, not really threatening anything.”

Out of the nearly 100 large fires burning across the nation right now, 10 of them are in Arizona.

Davila wanted to remind campers and other wilderness people to be cautious when traveling and camping, putting out campfires and making sure to secure any tow chains.

“Be cautious, be vigilant and be careful if you’re using fire,” she said.

Approximately 375 fire personnel and 75 engines from Arizona were sent this week to California, where more than a dozen fires were burning.

Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Washington also have sent resources to California.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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