VIDEO: Firefighters across Arizona are working to put out major wildfires like the Dragon Bravo Fire. However, local crews are still working hard to make sure our communities are safe. Itโs peak fire season across the West, keeping the Flagstaff Fire Department busy in town and across the country. Even when resources are spread thin, theyโre still stopping small fires before they turn into wildfires. Wildfire climate community health specialist Noah Baker said Flagstaff Fire Department stays busy, with seven fire stations and about 75 firefighters. โEverywhere where there could be a wildfire, there is a community of some sort,โ he said.
Baker has been with the department for four years. He got into firefighting because he knows what itโs like to be threatened by fire. โIโm also somebody whoโs experienced fire from like a very young age having fire in my backyard,โ Baker said. He said this time of year is their busiest. Flagstaff fire crews are helping with the North Rim fire, in Northern California, and other places across the country. โThey can spread far and wide,โ Baker said. โAnywhere you can think of in the United States, theyโve probably been.โ
Locally, their resources are also being pulled every which way. Just this weekend, there were three small fires pulling multiple engines from stations across town. Baker said itโs draining on resources but critical work. โWhatโs really draining is if we get a big fire,โ he said. โIf that fire grows so keeping it small keeps our resources together.โ He said thankfully there have been no major fires in town, but they keep their trucks stocked, firefighters fit, and everything is ready to stop a fire. โThat kid who looks into their backyard and sees that fire doesnโt have to worry as much about that fire getting up to the house,โ Baker said.
