Ron Dungan/KJZZ

The Bush Fire became one of the largest wildfires in Arizona history in a matter of days.

Nearly a million acres burned in Arizona last year, and nearly a fourth of them were in Maricopa County.

That’s why county officials have launched a three-part campaign to prepare residents for the upcoming fire season.

The first step, they say, is prevention. 

Ron Coleman is with Maricopa County. He says that a lot of people who live outside Phoenix can be impacted by wildfires, which have a variety of causes.

“We really encourage people to avoid activities that cause sparks," Coleman said. "A lot of tools that folks use cause sparks. Dragging trailer safety chains can cause sparks. Folks careless tossing their cigarettes out the window, using fireworks, burning debris around your home and property. Abandoning campfires.” 

Nearly 80% of wildfires in the state last year were human-caused.