Hobbs Unveils Forecast for 2025 Wildfire Season

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Officer John Truett held a press conference in Phoenix last month, focusing on the potentially volatile outlook for the 2025 wildfire season and sharing essential prevention tips with the public.

“Personal responsibility is crucial—when enjoying public lands, never leave campfires unattended and take precautions with any tools that may generate sparks,” Hobbs emphasized. “Most wildfires are human-caused, often inadvertently. By practicing these safety measures, we can significantly reduce risks. Preventing wildfires saves lives and protects our property and natural resources.”

The governor highlighted how, due to climate change, “wildfire season is year-round” in Arizona.

Truett added that despite a wet winter, current dry conditions have led to early vegetation drying, which can extend the fire season. “The carry-over vegetation has dried early, which means we’re facing a longer duration of fire risks,” he explained.

Since July, the Department has proactively burned over 23,000 acres, aiming for 30,000 acres by fiscal year-end. This agency oversees the protection of 22 million acres of state and private lands.

With Yavapai County identified as high-risk, officials warned residents about the anticipated active 2025 wildfire season. A recent DFFM press release noted that prior to rainfall, the Verde Valley recorded alarmingly low live fuel moisture levels, making vegetation exceptionally flammable.

“This year’s extreme vegetation dryness escalates fire risk. Ignition probability is significantly heightened,” Truett stated. “Human-caused fires are usually preventable, so we urge caution during outdoor activities.”

Referencing the Saddlebrook Fire incident, where 18 fires ignited along State Route 79, Truett pointed out that sparks from dragging chains likely started the blazes. This incident underscored the increased likelihood of fire ignitions.

In a staggering statistic, the DFFM reported that firefighters responded to 2,162 fires in 2024, burning 282,507 acres—an increase from the previous year’s 1,831 fires covering 188,000 acres.

State Forester Tom Torres assured that the agency has not faced cuts in grants aimed at bolstering firefighting resources and confirmed that staffing levels for seasonal firefighters are almost at full capacity.

“In my years here, this is among the most critical years we’ve encountered,” Truett remarked. “We’re already stretching resources thin, even without extreme events.”