2026 Arizona wildfires

2026 Arizona wildfires
The Hazen Fire burning on May 3
Statistics
Total area35,000+ acres
← 2025

The 2026 Arizona wildfires are a series of active wildfires currently ongoing in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Background

Historically, while "fire season" in Arizona began in April in desert areas and May around the Mogollon Rim with peak activities near July, there is now a fire risk year-round. Arizona is drought-prone, with precipitation much different between the deserts and mountains. When the snow pack on the mountain melts, the moisture can reduce the risk of wildfire events. However, climate change can raise the snow line, reduce snow pack, decrease runoff, or cause earlier snowmelt. A risk of decreasing precipitation and dry monsoons could heighten fire risks. Heavy rainfall can allow vegetation to grow, and many of these plants quickly dry out in just hours.[1]

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), produced significant structural damage, or resulted in casualties.

Name County Acres Start date Containment date Notes Ref.
Havasu Mohave 3,868 January 19 January 28 Started from an escaped prescribed burn. [2][3]
Hazen Maricopa 1,191 May 2 May 15 Cause undetermined but unrelated to weather. Burned near Buckeye. [4][5]
Rock Canyon Coconino 4,823 June 15 July 6 Lightning-caused. Burned in Kaibab National Forest, 9 miles (14 km) south of U.S. Route 89 in Arizona near the Arizona–Utah border. [6][7][8][9]
Sycamore Gila 11,938 June 15 July 10 Lightning-caused. Burned in Tonto National Forest 2.1 miles (3.4 km) west of Steer Mountain. Prompted level two "set" evacuations.[a] [11][12]
Pocket Coconino, Yavapai 27,393 June 19 July 30 Unknown cause. Burned 7 miles (11 km) north of Sedona and prompted numerous level two evacuations and impacted air quality in areas around the fire.[a] [13][14][15][16][17]
Steamboat Gila, Pinal 1,576 June 26 July 1 Prompted evacuation orders for Victory Ranch and Linx Ranch. [18][19]
Island La Paz 3,218 July 25 August 11 Burned in Cibola. [20]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 In Arizona, there are three evacuation levels: level one, or ready, means to prepare for potential hazards, level two, or set, means hazards are in your area, and level three, or go, means life-threatening hazards are in your area.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Arizona Fire Season: In-Depth Guide". wfca.com. Western Fire Chiefs Association. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Havasu Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Havasu Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Hazen Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Hazen Fire: Containment for fast-moving blaze near Buckeye jumps to 45%". KSAZ-TV. May 6, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Rock Canyon Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Rock Canyon Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  8. ↑ Tavss, Jeff (June 16, 2026). "Rock Canyon Fire grows to 1,000 acres along Utah-Arizona border". KSTU. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Rock Canyon - Wildfire and Smoke Map". data.usatoday.com. Retrieved July 14, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Ready, Set, Go!". ein.az.gov. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Sycamore Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Wildfire near Globe causes emergency road closures, possible evacuations". KTAR-FM. June 20, 2026. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Pocket Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Pocket Fire eclipses 2,000 acres, grows north of Sedona as crews brace for worsening weather". KTAR-FM. June 27, 2026. Retrieved June 27, 2026.
  15. ↑ Mendes, Michelle Cruz and Julie. "Pocket Fire near Sedona grows to 15K acres overnight, no containment". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  16. ↑ Graham, Christopher Fox (July 4, 2026). "Yavapai County puts Seven Canyons in 'SET' status as Pocket Fire grows to 25,160 acres". Sedona Red Rock News. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Pocket - Wildfire and Smoke Map". data.statesmanjournal.com. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Steamboat Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Steamboat Fire forces 'GO' evacuations in Gila county". KNXV-TV. July 1, 2026. Retrieved July 5, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Island Fire Map". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
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