Central Arizona
Brush Fire
Preparedness
Part 1
Tactics, strategy and common resources
found on wildland fires.
April 2010
Disclaimer and Intent
Like all fire fighting operations, wildland fire control and
suppression is inherently dangerous.
This presentation is designed to increase fire fighter safety and
awareness at local brush fire incidents in the Phoenix metropolitan
area. It is not designed to teach in-depth and/or complex wildland
fire suppression techniques, skills or tactics, nor replace National
Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standardized training.
The overall intent of this presentation is to promote the safe
operations of structural fire crews responding to initial attack
wildland fires which have the potential to increase into complex fire
incidents requiring multiple fire agency resources. This training
can be used on an individual, company or department-wide basis.
In the valley, there is a cyclical event
of rain followed by an abundant
growth of grasses and other light fuels
in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. This
then can lead to an active desert fire
season on inner-city buttes, desert
areas and river bottom channels.
In similar past cycles, the Phoenix
metro area has seen some large fires
that are often initially attacked by fire
departments from the Phoenix/Mesa
Automatic Aid Systems.
In an effort to promote fire fighter
safety and effective coordination of
resources, this presentation is
designed to:
1. Present some of the basic concepts
in wildland fire behavior
Phoenix
2. Identify various fire management
agencies found in the Phoenix area
3. Identify standard national resource
types (NIMS compliance)
4. Present basic strategies and
tactics.
From the Maricopa County CWPP: wildland fuel hazards during
extraordinary rainfall years.
What is a wildland fire?
Phoenix Regional SOP: “Any fire exceeding 50 acres will be declared
as a "Wildland Fire.“
National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG): Any non-structure fire
that occurs in the wildland. (A national standard term)
Layman’s terms: It is a non-structural fire of any size in naturally
occurring vegetation.
Urban Sprawl & the Interface
The Phoenix metropolitan area has grown and now includes homes
and communities moving into a more significant “Urban Interface”. The
wildland urban interface or inter-mix is where the two geographical areas
meet or mix. Examples include North Scottsdale, North Phoenix, Apache
Junction or river bottom areas.
Re-occurring cycles of frequent or significant valley wildland fire events
are seen every few years depending on weather cycles (El Nino).
Examples:
• 1995 Rio Fire (Scottsdale)
• 2004 Black Canyon City
(Structures destroyed, Yavapai County
and Phoenix Regional Dispatch units assigned.)
• 2005 Cave Creek Complex Fire
• 2008 Ethan Fire (Gila River)
• 2010 Patriot Fire (Scottsdale)
Ethan Fire, Gila River Reservation (2008)
Does this mean we are like Southern
California now?
No. In years with extra fuel loading, there is
higher fire potential.
Depending on your fire station location, you
may see an increase in the number of
responses to brush fires, the size of the fires, or
possibly an increased potential for an interface
fire incident. It can also mean that you might
be moved-up or respond to a fire not normally
found in your first-due area.
It also means we may assign fire fighters to
suppression actions of which they do not
encounter frequently, nor are they highly
trained or experienced due to limited
occurrences.
Wildland Fuel Types
of the Phoenix Area
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Native grasses
Shrub
Mesquite
Salt Cedar (Tamarisk)
Invasive (non-native) grass species
These are all considered “light flashy fuels” and
can carry fire rapidly. They are substantially
influenced by wind speeds and direction.
Valley Fuel Examples:
North Phoenix
Light flashy fuels
Lake Pleasant area
Inter-mix area
North Phoenix
Influences on a wildland fire:

Fuel Load = amount of fuel available to burn.
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Fuel type = flashy fuels (fast burning) vs. heavy timber (slower
burning).
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Winds – Strongly influence fire spread by wind speed and direction.
A West wind pushes a fire to the east. A south wind pushes fire
north.
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Temperature – Dries out fuels making them easier to burn.
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Relative Humidity - How dry the air is; expressed in %. Single digits
in summer. Again, increases the fire behavior potential.
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Topography = fire runs up hill very fast
Appropriate PPE
Maricopa County area brush fire
OPTIMUM PPE:
•Lightweight brush helmet and Nomex shroud
• Nomex or Kevlar/Nomex brush pants and
jacket/shirt
• Leather work boots
• Leather gloves
• Eye protection
• Fire shelter (when available)
• Hearing protection (when necessary)
The goal is to protect the entire body using
a lightweight PPE ensemble to protect from
burns yet reduce the dangers of fatigue and
heat exhaustion.
Valley structural fire fighters in proper PPE.
A Central Arizona Wildland
Response Team Fire Fighter
Wildland Fire Terminology
Click: NWCG Wildland Terms
Additional Information
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Contact your department members of the Central Arizona
Wildland Response Team, which includes most valley fire
departments, for additional information or training.
Website Links:
CAWRT East
CAWRT West