Fire Suppression

We suppress fires in the desert, where they historically did not occur. This is also where fires might threaten private property next to the Park. Human-caused fires and some lightning fires are suppressed at the upper elevations.

All suppression is done with a light hand and with a response appropriate to the situation. Suppression activities are managed in a way to minimize erosion and disturbance to sensitive wildlife species, protect watershed and riparian areas, prevent damage to wilderness values and cultural and historical sites, and ensure firefighter safety.

Prescribed Fire

Prescribed fires are ignited by Park staff to meet specific objectives. The burns are thoroughly planned and carefully executed under specified conditions. Much of our prescribed burning is done to reduce vegetation that fuels fires, and to return fire to areas where fire had been suppressed in the past.

Wildland Fire Use

Wildland Fire Use (formerly called prescribed natural fire) is the term used to describe management of naturally ignited wildland fires in order to accomplish specific resource management objectives. These fires are in pre-defined areas, outlined in the Fire Management Plan. Wildland Fire Use takes advantage of lightning-caused fires to maintain the natural role of fire in the wildland environment.

Saguaro National Park was one of the first Parks in the country to have a Prescribed Natural Fire program, as far back as the early 1970’s. The healthy forests at the upper elevations of the Rincon Mountains have been maintained by continued application of progressive fire management policy over time.

Fire Prevention and Mitigation

Prevention and mitigation consist of a variety of actions to reduce damage from unwanted fires. Saguaro National Park has traditionally had few human-caused fires. We work with our visitors, neighbors, and other fire agencies to reduce the number of ignitions, remove fuels that might allow fires to start and spread, and protect homes from damage.