2025 Arizona wildfires
Natural disasters in the USA
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A series of wildfires burned throughout U.S. state of Arizona during 2025.
| 2025 Arizona wildfires | |
|---|---|
Smoke from the Dragon Bravo Fire on July 30, seen from the Grand Canyon | |
| Statistics[1] | |
| Total fires | 291 (January 1 - April 7) |
| Total area | 5,802 acres (2,348 ha; 23.48 km2) (January 1 - April 7) |
← 2024
2026 → | |
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.[2]
Summary
By the end of spring (June 20), wildfires in Arizona had burned approximately 104,000 acres (42,000 ha), marking a slightly above-average start to the 2025 season. The early uptick in activity was largely attributed to wind-driven grass and brush fires across central and southern Arizona, fueled by prolonged drought conditions and unseasonably high temperatures.[3]
The first fatality of the season occurred on May 27, when a firefighter was injured during suppression efforts on the Copper Ridge Fire near Superior and later died from heat-related causes.[4]
During July, extreme heat and a series of dry thunderstorms ignited numerous large wildfires in northern and eastern Arizona. The Black Mesa Fire in Navajo County and the Santa Teresa Fire in Gila County each burned tens of thousands of acres, threatening several small communities and forcing temporary evacuations. By July 31, over 612,000 acres (248,000 ha) had burned statewide, one of the most active mid-season totals since 2020.[5]
In August, widespread monsoonal rainfall moderated fire behavior across much of central and southern Arizona. However, several lightning-induced fires persisted in remote northern areas, including the Kaibab Plateau Fire and Sitgreaves Complex, which continued burning into early September under dry post-monsoon conditions.[6]
By late September, cooler temperatures and scattered rainfall helped end most major fire activity. The 2025 Arizona wildfire season has so far burned an estimated 678,000 acres (274,000 ha) statewide—roughly 40 percent above the five-year average—causing moderate ecological impacts but relatively limited structural loss due to early detection and coordinated response efforts.[failed verification][7]
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[a] | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horton | Gila, Coconino | 8,346 | December 15 (2024) | February 4 | Fire crews conducted firing operations to hold the fire and make sure it didn't impact neighborhoods in the area. Burned in rough terrain in Tonto National Forest. | [9][10] |
| Gap | Graham | 2,000 | January 7 | January 10 | Burned in the Ash flat area. | [11] |
| Spider | Navajo | 1,702 | March 27 | March 31 | The fire caused $90,000 in damages. Burned near Whitecone and State Route 77. | [12][13] |
| Stronghold | Cochise | 2,138 | April 28 | May 7 | Burned in the Dragoon Mountains southeast of Tucson. | [14][15] |
| Blind | Coconino | 6,329 | May 4 | May 25 | Lightning-caused in Mogollon Rim ranger district. | [16][17] |
| Bryce | Graham | 3,294 | May 7 | May 20 | Human-caused. Burned about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southeast of Eden. | [18][19] |
| Coyote | Apache | 1,280 | May 11 | May 15 | Likely started by structure fire. | [20][21] |
| Greer | Apache | 20,308 | May 13 | May 26 | Unknown cause. Evacuations issued for Greer and Eagar, and portions of SR 260, SR 261, and SR 373 were closed. | [22][23] |
| Cody | Pinal | 1,223 | May 21 | June 4 | Evacuations were issued for Oracle. Destroyed five residential buildings, damaged one, and destroyed eight other structures. | [24][25] |
| Ranch | Santa Cruz | 2,751 | June 4 | June 11 | Burned about 19 miles (31 km) southeast of Patagonia. Caused by lightning and spread from windy and dry conditions. | [26][27] |
| Basin | Coconino | 9,145 | June 5 | June 26 | Lightning-caused. Burned about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Flagstaff. | [28][29] |
| Oak Ridge | Apache | 11,027 | June 28 | July 15 | Unknown cause. Burned about 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest of Window Rock. Evacuations for Oak Springs and Hunters Point. | [30][31] |
| Dragon Bravo | Coconino | 145,504 | July 4 | September 29 | Lightning-caused. Evacuations for the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. | [32][33] |
| White Sage | Coconino | 58,985 | July 9 | September 10 | Lightning-caused. Burned 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Fredonia and 980 square miles were under an evacuation order. | [34][35][36] |
| Billy | Gila | 27,574 | July 9 | September 15 | Lightning-caused. Burned 15 miles (24 km) south of Young | [37] |
| Cabin | Coconino | 1,048 | July 15 | August 2 | Lightning-caused. Burned in Sitgreaves National Forest. | [38] |
| Bronco | Gila | 18,041 | August 3 | September 8 | Lightning-caused. Burned 30 miles (48 km) northeast of San Carlos. | [39] |
| Indian Creek | Gila | 3,000 | August 5 | September 6 | Lightning-caused. Burned 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Whiteriver. | [40] |
| Goodwin | Graham | 1,059 | August 6 | September 7 | Lightning-caused. Burned 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Bylas. | [41] |
See also
Notes
- Containment means that fire crews have established and secured control lines around the fire's perimeter. These lines are artificial barriers, like trenches or cleared vegetation, designed to stop the fire's spread, or natural barriers like rivers. Containment reflects progress in managing the fire but does not necessarily mean the fire is starved of fuel, under control, or put out.[8]
