MLFD Product 1

What Is FireWise?

The highest paid fire department in Southern Arizona, elevation 7855 feet!

What Is FireWise?

	Provide FireWise education for the residents of Mt. Lemmon
	Reduce fire risks and provide defensible space for structures
	Improve Forest Health

Fire suppression and lack of forest maintenance over the last century on Mt. Lemmon has resulted in an unnatural and the potential of an extremely flammable forest with many trees more susceptible to disease and fire.

"At the turn of the century, there were about 20 to 30 large diameter Ponderosa Pine trees per acre on Mt. Lemmon, whereas today the landscape consists of 800 to 1,000 small diameter trees per acre."

--Thomas K. Warfield, Natural Resource Manager with the Arizona State Land Department

A Wildland/Urban Interface is created when homes are nestled next to and within the forest. Wildland/Urban Interface areas increase the risk of losses to lives and property from forest fires.

The specific goals of the Mt. Lemmon FireWise Community are to prevent and lessen loss to lives, structures, and trees from fires by:

	To educate homeowners on how to remove fire hazards from around their structures, and practice fire safety with chimney and fireplace ashes
	To educate cabin and landowners on how to eliminate ladder fuels that cause fire to climb into treetops, and promote forest health by thinning overcrowded trees

The Mt. Lemmon Fire District and a number of concerned residents were awarded money through the State Fire Assistance Grant programs to aid in fire hazard reduction efforts. These programs using state grant money and matching private funds were initiated in the Fall of 2001.

"The Fire District has met with the Forest Service, the State Land Department, and homeowners for a tactical plan to help protect the interest of all parties involved.

--Dean Barnella, Fire Chief of the Mt. Lemmon Fire District

Last modified: 01/04/08