ARIZONA NEWS

Wildfire season in Arizona burned almost 1 million acres in 2020

Jan 27, 2021, 5:00 PM | Updated: 6:03 pm

Hidden Fire (InciWeb Photo)...

Hidden Fire (InciWeb Photo)

(InciWeb Photo)

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona had one of its worst wildfire seasons in nearly a decade last year, state Department of Forestry and Fire Management officials said Wednesday.

They said statistics show 2,520 wildfires burned 978,519 acres of state, federal and tribal lands in 2020. Of those fires, wildland fire investigators said 82% were human caused.

In comparison, 1,869 wildfires burned 384,942 acres on all land jurisdictions in 2019 and some 2,000 wildfires burned an estimated 165,000 acres in 2018.

Arizona’s most severe and destructive wildfire seasons came in 2011 with 1,988 fires charring more than 1 million acres.

Authorities said that among the factors for last year’s severe wildfire season was unseasonably warm conditions, a lack of moisture, an overabundance of fuels across Arizona’s central region and within the Sonoran Desert, and increased recreational traffic across the state.

Arizona’s nonexistent monsoon season also exacerbated the problems and pushed fire activity well into the fall with October’s 9,537-acre Horse Fire on the Prescott National Forest.

The lack of precipitation kept fire restrictions in place through November, according to forestry officials.

“The extreme drought conditions, excess ground fuel and inadequate moisture created fast moving, large-scale fires,” John Truett, fire management officer for Arizona’s forestry department, said in a statement.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

6 hours ago

pay raise for troopers Arizona Department of Public Safety 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire to institute a pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday.

7 hours ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

9 hours ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

10 hours ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

11 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Wildfire season in Arizona burned almost 1 million acres in 2020