Officials are warning residents to clear out fire hazards on their property in Scottsdale and other surrounding areas. People can use a program to identify those fire hazards.

The nonprofit known as the National Fire Protection Agency can help through its Firewise program. According to the Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the program reduces the risks to property.

Wildfires can approach developed areas as seen by the Diamond Fire in north Scottsdale last summer, which burned 1,900 acres in the area.

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The Diamond Fire on June 28, 2023.

People can take actions to minimize the risk of wildfires damaging homes. 

“Many of these communities have green spaces or open areas that are developed through them and so we can absolutely have wildfires that touch off in those areas, too. They’re not impervious to those types of things as well,” said Shawn Gilleland with Rural Metro Fire.

Gilleland also spoke of the environmental risks involved.

“The risk is just obviously increasing with the amount of graze we’ve had, the growth of the globe chamomile invasion — an invasive species of weeds — and the grasses are going to be tall again,” he said.

With the weather, Gilleland says now would be the time for people to make preparations to their property to avoid damage.