The Prescott National Forest is hosting the annual multi-agency Prescott Basin Operation Drill. It is scheduled to take place April 4th and 5th, near the Groom Creek area south of Prescott. This exercise is in preparation for the upcoming wildfire season in Yavapai County.
The Prescott Basin Operations Drill reinforces the growing importance of collaboration as wildfire seasons become longer and more severe.
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, City of Prescott Fire, Bureau of Land Management, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management, and several other local fire agencies will be training together with live fire.
This includes hands-on exercises, covering fire suppression techniques, coordinated response strategies, testing of communications and equipment, and testing of new technologies for evacuation zones.
Fire managers expect smoke impacts to be light yet visible from multiple locations including Prescott, Chino Valley, and surrounding areas.