Arizona Wildfires

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon reopened Friday eight months after the Dragon Bravo Fire burned 145,000 acres and destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

A longtime wildfire prevention crew that served communities around Flagstaff has been disbanded. Residents and former fire officials are weighing the impact ahead of a potentially active fire season.

Arizona fire officials warn that drought and heat could drive an early, active wildfire season. High fire activity is expected to move north across the Mogollon Rim by May, then into higher elevations.

Arizona utilities are now shielded from wildfire lawsuits, but critics call their safety plans "strikingly insufficient." A 2025 law could leave homeowners at risk.

The National Weather Service forecasts near-normal fire risk for northern Arizona this spring. Drought has improved, but warm, dry conditions remain a concern.

Federal officials released the results of the assessment of the Dragon Bravo Fire's impact on the soil of the Grand Canyon's North Rim and the potential aftereffects.

Local agencies have a new tool to speed up wildfire response — AI-powered cameras. Arizona Public Service plans to install 30 by the end of June.

The number of high fire risk days has nearly doubled since the early 1970s across much of the Southwest.

The federal government forecasts above-normal wildfire potential in much of the West and some southeastern states. KNAU News Director Ryan Heinsius discussed the ongoing season on NPR's Morning Edition.

Officials managing the Greer Fire in the White Mountains gave residents the OK to return home this week and as of Wednesday morning have contained 88% of the blaze.