The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is holding a public meeting in Wittmann on Wednesday night after an increase in fires in northwestern Maricopa County.

Forestry and fire officials said five fires have burned since April 2019 over a total 5,000 acres in the Wickenburg and Wittmann areas. They said humans caused at least four of them, and the fifth is under investigation.

A press release from Forestry and Fire Management said a behavior analyst evaluated the burn areas, finding abundant moisture has led to substantial grass growth in the Sonoran Desert. Overgrown grasses have led to fires starting quicker and burning at higher intensity.

Wednesday’s meeting is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Nadaburg Elementary School at 21419 W. Dove Valley Road in Wittmann. Officials will discuss what’s going on and take comments from the audience.