June 10, 2016

Forester: 'Active Wildfire Season Has Materialized'

Year-round fire season means 35 fires so far this year, scorching 30,000 acres.

Evidence that wildfire season in Arizona is year-round comes from a spokeswoman for the Coronado National Forest in Southern Arizona.

"We are in wildfire season year-round,' said Heidi Schewel. "In 2015, our last fire was in December. In 2016, our first fire was in January."

Schewel said the Coronado has had 35 fires so far this year burning 30,000 acres.

She and other wildfire experts appear on Friday's Arizona Week, discussing the wildfire forecast and preparedness.

University of Arizona environmental researcher Donald Falk said big fire frequency is something that is picking up as a result of the drought.

"We used to think there would be a gap between a big fire and the next time that area would burn, but in recent years, we've discovered areas are reburning sometimes within five to 10 years," Falk said. " ... We understand that big fires can happen any time, especially when weather conditions converge - high winds, high temperatures, low humidity - that really is the key."

On the program:

  • Ryan Siddle, crew boss of the Rio Bravo Hotshots, Sequioa National Park, Calif.
  • Heidi Schewel, information officer for Coronado National Forest.
  • Donald Falk, University of Arizona environmental scientist.
  • Mac Tippins, Lemmon Rock Lookout.
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