Gov. Doug Ducey addressed members of the media Thursday on the upcoming fire season.
With temperatures climbing into the 80s, Ducey said that state foresters are looking back on a wet monsoon followed by a dry winter, which put a lot of fuel on the ground over the last several months.
Last year, the state took steps to help reduce the severity and impacts of fire with funding for fuel thinning and post-fire recovery.
But many blazes are human caused, and Ducey said the upcoming season will largely depend on the actions of the public.
“Last year’s heavy monsoon season created additional vegetation on the ground that can act as fuel for these wildfires. The threat is real, and present, and we must remain vigilant,” Ducey said.
State forestry director Dave Tenney said the state has thinned 10,000 acres since the Legislature passed the Healthy Forests Initiative, which will put more crews on the ground.
