Phoenix, AZ — Following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, the Phoenix Fire Department presented to the City of Phoenix Mayor and Council, emphasizing the priority for wildland firefighting strategies, improved resource allocation, and complemented the interdepartmental collaboration that protects urban areas at risk from fires in the wildland-urban interface.
During Tuesday’s policy session, the Phoenix Fire Department provided an in-depth presentation on strategies for Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) firefighting and outlined key efforts that help manage the rising fire risk in areas where urban development intersects with wildland environments.
One of those efforts was implemented in 2019, known as Community Risk Reduction. This program aims to address WUI incidents through emergency response, fuels reduction programs, and prevention tactics. Programs like the Tres Rios Prescribed Burn aim to reduce vegetation in high-risk areas, preventing fires from igniting or spreading rapidly.
The Phoenix Fire Department also discussed a new deployment plan that ensures more resources are available earlier in the event of a wildland-urban interface fire. That plan includes a surge of department resources dispatched immediately to help contain fires before they escalate. The Phoenix Fire Department has focused on continuous training and enhancing equipment to ensure crews are fully prepared to tackle WUI fires effectively.
“Our fire department is committed to always being in a state of readiness. We are constantly training, preparing, and ensuring that we provide the best possible customer service to our community,” Executive Assistant Tim Kreis added. “Although our resources are at capacity, our teams are well-prepared to respond to any wildland fire threat. The safety of Phoenix residents is our top priority, and we will continue to adapt and improve our readiness, learning from every experience along the way."
To further prevent any hazards, the Phoenix Fire Department uses specific criteria for assessing fire risk, including fuel loads, defensible space around structures, topography, and preparedness of fire services. A joint effort with the Water Service Department, State and Federal Air Support Assets, and Phoenix Police Air Support ensures a coordinated response.
The department noted that fire risk elevates when temperatures exceed 105°F and humidity drops below 15%. These conditions, combined with strong winds, make fires vulnerable to rapid fire spread. Phoenix Fire’s new WUI deployment plan ensures that more resources are available earlier in the event of a fire. A surge of department resources is dispatched immediately to help contain fires before they escalate. The Phoenix Fire Department has focused on continuous training and enhancing equipment to ensure crews are fully prepared to tackle WUI fires effectively.
The presentation clearly demonstrated how the Phoenix Fire Department and the Water Department work closely together to ensure readiness for wildland-urban interface firefighting. The Fire Department relies on the Water Department’s infrastructure to ensure access to reliable water sources for firefighting, especially in areas with limited hydrants. They also collaborate on emergency response strategies, ensuring that water flow and pressure are adequate during wildfires.
The City of Phoenix is prepared for wildfires based on a comprehensive review of its water infrastructure, which includes 57,000 fire hydrants and 7,000 miles of water pipes, playing a critical role in managing wildland-urban interface (WUI) incidents. With over 99% of hydrants in service, the city's water system is ready to support firefighting efforts. A 2021 review of the program reinforced the system's operational readiness, ensuring an efficient and reliable response to wildfire emergencies.
Phoenix Water Services Director Troy Hayes highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, "Our collaboration with the Phoenix Fire Department ensures that our water infrastructure is ready to support wildfire response efforts in the Wildland Urban Interface. By maintaining over 57,000 fire hydrants and optimizing water flow across 7,000 miles of water mains, we help protect communities and first responders when every second counts.”
The Office of Emergency Management also joined the presentation demonstrating its efforts to continue to refine emergency response plans, preparing for scenarios where evacuations may be necessary in WUI zones.
The presentation underscored Phoenix’s proactive approach to safeguarding residents in high-risk areas, with collaborative efforts between various city departments and external agencies. Take-aways from the meeting show that the Phoenix Fire Department is well-prepared to combat wildland fires with the resources it currently has in place, including a trained workforce, equipment, and a reliable water infrastructure.
However, as the city continues to grow rapidly, there is an increasing demand for 911 emergency responses, which can place additional strain on the department's ability to maintain timely and effective firefighting efforts. While the department is committed to ensuring readiness, continued growth and heightened demands may require ongoing evaluation and enhancement of resources to sustain optimal response capabilities.
The City Council will review the proposed initiatives as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen wildfire resilience. The Phoenix Fire Department continues to educate the public through its Community Risk Education efforts. You can learn more about wildland and brush fire safety by visiting Phoenix.gov/fire.
During Tuesday’s policy session, the Phoenix Fire Department provided an in-depth presentation on strategies for Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) firefighting and outlined key efforts that help manage the rising fire risk in areas where urban development intersects with wildland environments.
One of those efforts was implemented in 2019, known as Community Risk Reduction. This program aims to address WUI incidents through emergency response, fuels reduction programs, and prevention tactics. Programs like the Tres Rios Prescribed Burn aim to reduce vegetation in high-risk areas, preventing fires from igniting or spreading rapidly.
The Phoenix Fire Department also discussed a new deployment plan that ensures more resources are available earlier in the event of a wildland-urban interface fire. That plan includes a surge of department resources dispatched immediately to help contain fires before they escalate. The Phoenix Fire Department has focused on continuous training and enhancing equipment to ensure crews are fully prepared to tackle WUI fires effectively.
“Our fire department is committed to always being in a state of readiness. We are constantly training, preparing, and ensuring that we provide the best possible customer service to our community,” Executive Assistant Tim Kreis added. “Although our resources are at capacity, our teams are well-prepared to respond to any wildland fire threat. The safety of Phoenix residents is our top priority, and we will continue to adapt and improve our readiness, learning from every experience along the way."
To further prevent any hazards, the Phoenix Fire Department uses specific criteria for assessing fire risk, including fuel loads, defensible space around structures, topography, and preparedness of fire services. A joint effort with the Water Service Department, State and Federal Air Support Assets, and Phoenix Police Air Support ensures a coordinated response.
The department noted that fire risk elevates when temperatures exceed 105°F and humidity drops below 15%. These conditions, combined with strong winds, make fires vulnerable to rapid fire spread. Phoenix Fire’s new WUI deployment plan ensures that more resources are available earlier in the event of a fire. A surge of department resources is dispatched immediately to help contain fires before they escalate. The Phoenix Fire Department has focused on continuous training and enhancing equipment to ensure crews are fully prepared to tackle WUI fires effectively.
The presentation clearly demonstrated how the Phoenix Fire Department and the Water Department work closely together to ensure readiness for wildland-urban interface firefighting. The Fire Department relies on the Water Department’s infrastructure to ensure access to reliable water sources for firefighting, especially in areas with limited hydrants. They also collaborate on emergency response strategies, ensuring that water flow and pressure are adequate during wildfires.
The City of Phoenix is prepared for wildfires based on a comprehensive review of its water infrastructure, which includes 57,000 fire hydrants and 7,000 miles of water pipes, playing a critical role in managing wildland-urban interface (WUI) incidents. With over 99% of hydrants in service, the city's water system is ready to support firefighting efforts. A 2021 review of the program reinforced the system's operational readiness, ensuring an efficient and reliable response to wildfire emergencies.
Phoenix Water Services Director Troy Hayes highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, "Our collaboration with the Phoenix Fire Department ensures that our water infrastructure is ready to support wildfire response efforts in the Wildland Urban Interface. By maintaining over 57,000 fire hydrants and optimizing water flow across 7,000 miles of water mains, we help protect communities and first responders when every second counts.”
The Office of Emergency Management also joined the presentation demonstrating its efforts to continue to refine emergency response plans, preparing for scenarios where evacuations may be necessary in WUI zones.
The presentation underscored Phoenix’s proactive approach to safeguarding residents in high-risk areas, with collaborative efforts between various city departments and external agencies. Take-aways from the meeting show that the Phoenix Fire Department is well-prepared to combat wildland fires with the resources it currently has in place, including a trained workforce, equipment, and a reliable water infrastructure.
However, as the city continues to grow rapidly, there is an increasing demand for 911 emergency responses, which can place additional strain on the department's ability to maintain timely and effective firefighting efforts. While the department is committed to ensuring readiness, continued growth and heightened demands may require ongoing evaluation and enhancement of resources to sustain optimal response capabilities.
The City Council will review the proposed initiatives as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen wildfire resilience. The Phoenix Fire Department continues to educate the public through its Community Risk Education efforts. You can learn more about wildland and brush fire safety by visiting Phoenix.gov/fire.
