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CAN I STOP A FIRE IN OR AROUND THE RIVER CHANNEL?

Yes, with assistance. Make a call.

If you notice a fire starting in or around the river channel, call 911. These blazes can reach very high temperatures and be extremely dangerous. USE CAUTION. The emergency responder will be able to determine the location of your call and know which fire department is the most appropriate to dispatch. In many parts of the region, local rural fire districts provide fire protection through agreements with local fire departments.

If you are interested in conducting fire mitigation work to minimize potential losses of structures or wells, visit the Arizona Dept. of Forestry and Fire Management's website (dffm.az.gov) or the related Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention and Information Website (azfireinfo.az.gov) for further information.

In March 2016, a fire on the banks of the Gila River turned back the clock on over a year of restoration work performed by the Gila Watershed Partnership (GWP). Over the previous year, the seven-acre restoration site was cleared of tamarisk (salt cedar) and replanted with over 300 native plants and trees. Even though local fire departments responded quickly, much of the work was lost in the blaze. The loss of vegetation along the river creates greater risks of soil erosion and flash flooding. Despite the setback, GWP plans to begin new on-site restoration efforts. To volunteer for planting events, email: info@gwpaz.org.

For more information, see the below Eastern Arizona Courier articles.

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