A prompt, effective response from the SFD Wildland Division could mean the difference between a small grass fire and a catastrophic event.

Wildfire plays a natural role in the ecosystem, replenishing and rejuvenating the soil to provide fertile ground for plant and animal life. However, it also can have devastating effects. Wildfires have become a growing danger to communities like Sedona because the wildland urban interface (WUI) has expanded, increasing the need for personnel and equipment.

Wildfire burns in a California neighborhood.

Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)

Homes on property that is adjacent to county, state, or federal forest land are considered to be in the Wildland-Urban Interface, or WUI.

The City of Sedona and the Sedona Fire District have adopted the WUI Code set forth by the State of Arizona.  This code impacts safer building practices including materials used and sprinkler requirements.  All Fire Code, including the WUI, is managed by the Fire Marshal, who serves Sedona as the Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction.  For the full code and more information, see our WUI page under Community Risk Reduction.

RV engulfed in flames on the 89A switchbacks

Brush Fire / Vehicle Fire

Small brush fires caused by smoking material, dragging chains, or escaped campfires can quickly escalate to a Wildfire incident.

With low fuel moisture, or dry conditions with low relative humidity, small fires can grow with tremendous speed and ferocity, especially when aided by strong winds.  All SFD firefighters are trained in wildland firefighting, learning how different vegetation and fuel density combine with other conditions to follow certain burning patterns.

Each scenario is dynamic and unpredictable, so every safety precaution is used to fight wildland fire on the ground by hand and with heavy equipment and aided by air when possible.

Wildland Training

SFD firefighters are trained annually to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards.

National training standards ensures interoperability with Incident Management Teams from other agencies during busy fire seasons. SFD staffs engines and supervises personnel while on assignment within the District, the State, and the region.  All costs associated with out-of-district response are reimbursed by the federal government. This agreement benefits the community by providing a revenue stream for the District and improving skills and knowledge through valuable experience.

In the Event of a Wildfire

There is not a District-wide siren system, however, in the event of an approaching wildfire in Oak Creek Canyon, an emergency siren will sound. If you see or suspect a wildfire, call 9-1-1 and provide the dispatcher with a general location. Please do not use social media to report smoke or fire, call 9-1-1 to ensure immediate notification.   

If a wildfire impacts the community either by threat or by visible smoke, updates will be posted by local news and radio, SFD and County social media and websites, and through the County Emergency Alert System.  Keep in mind that individual requests for updates may not be managed by SFD during an incident, and a hotline will be established by the managing agency as needed. Wildfires are managed by County, State, or Federal agencies. 

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Wildfire Preparedness