NE Valley Times

The Scottsdale Fire Department is organizing a community town hall focused on wildfire mitigation as the fire season nears. Scheduled for March 19 at 6:30 p.m., the event will take place at The Homestead in DC Ranch, Scottsdale. This initiative aims to inform residents about steps to reduce wildfire risks, especially in light of recent destructive fires across California and other regions.

Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky highlighted the importance of addressing potential fire hazards, noting, "We have all watched wildfires devastate Los Angeles due, in part, to the accumulation of underbrush and dead foliage which increased the danger. While not at a comparable scale, Scottsdale, particularly in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, faces similar risks with invasive species growth and highly flammable overgrowth."

The discussion will cover response and prevention strategies employed by the Scottsdale Fire Department. It will also touch upon city policies concerning Natural Area Open Space areas and how homeowners' associations and residents can contribute to risk mitigation and enhancing wildfire resilience.

Scottsdale Fire Chief Tom Shannon emphasized collaboration within the community as vital for bolstering fire prevention efforts. "By working together, we can better prepare our neighborhoods and protect our homes and residents from the growing threat of wildfires," he stated.

Residents interested in learning more about wildfire preparedness can visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search for “wildfire prevention.”