Arizona is a beautiful state with vast expanses of wilderness and natural beauty. However, these wildlands are also prone to wildfires, which can threaten homes, businesses, and most importantly, lives. To protect as much property and lives as possible, Arizona has developed a comprehensive system of fire support and suppression services, with government departments, businesses, and volunteers all giving a hand to help out.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
At the heart of Arizona’s wildland fire protection system is the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM). This state agency oversees the coordination of all wildland firefighting activities in Arizona, including suppression, prevention, and mitigation efforts. This department functions as logistics during large emergencies, coordinating as many firefighting sources as possible to keep people safe.
Firefighters and First Responders
The men and women who serve as wildland firefighters and first responders in Arizona are the backbone of the state’s fire suppression system. During times of emergencies, dedicated professionals work long hours in difficult conditions to protect homes, businesses, and lives from the threat of wildfires. There are multiple types of fire services, from paid public firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and private firefighters such as those working for Capstone Fire.
Air Support
In addition to ground-based firefighting efforts, Arizona, like most other states, also relies on air support to fight wildfires. The state’s fleet of firefighting aircraft includes helicopters, air tankers, and other specialized aircraft that can drop water, fire retardants, and other fire fighting materials on wildfires from above. Usually these are public craft, working directly under the government, but it isn’t uncommon for private companies to lend aircraft during extreme wildfire emergencies.
Prevention and Mitigation
Preventing wildfires from starting in the first place is a critical part of Arizona’s wildland fire protection system. The DFFM works to educate the public about wildfire risks and to promote responsible behavior in the state’s wildlands. The agency also works to mitigate the impact of wildfires by constantly building fire breaks, working to thin dense forests, improving wildfire fighting infrastructure, and implementing any and all other measures to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Capstone Fire specializes in providing all of these services on both small and large scales, while also keeping fire-risk businesses safe.
Arizona’s wildland fire support and suppression services are a model for others to follow. From the Department of Forestry and Fire Management to the firefighters and first responders on the ground and the air, every aspect of Arizona’s system is designed to protect homes, businesses, and lives from the threat of wildfires. Capstone Fire works hard with the state’s private and public entities to keep both life and property safe at all times.
