Fire Mitigation (March 2025)

Hello Neighbors,

In light of extended fire seasons, the Architectural Committee and Board of Directors of the Tubac Valley Property Owners Association have been researching recommended fire mitigation measures.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has a page dedicated to “Preparing Homes for Wildfire”. It has excellent information about what you can do to prevent fire, help control spread, and help your house stay safe. I highly recommend everybody check it out.

In short, dead vegetation, if not controlled, can become ‘fire fuel’ when accompanied by high winds. Some lot owners have had their dried vegetation cut back. Thank you! We have received calls from other homeowners of lots that have not been ‘fire mitigated’ in their area. We encourage assessment by all to determine if your property poses a ‘fire’ threat in your neighborhood and take action.

The TVCCE Covenants and Restrictions (C&R’s) recorded August 15, 1960 is silent on Fire Prevention. Section 7 does deal with Plantings and Lot Development.

Item 4: ‘Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, property owners may remove native growth which is dead, unhealthy, detrimental to the remaining growth, or otherwise undesirable for the maintenance of a healthy and attractive desert growth. However, nothing shall be done which will change the general character of those areas where native growth is required to be maintained.’

For comprehensive information on creating defensible space and fire-resistant landscaping in Southern Arizona, consider exploring the following resources:

•Tubac Valley Fire Department has brochures for homeowners.

•Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s Firewise Program offers guidelines on reducing wildfire risks through community efforts and individual actions.

•University of Arizona Cooperative Extension’s “Fire-Resistant Landscaping” (AZ1291) provides insights into selecting native, drought-resistant plants suitable for defensible space in Arizona's climate.

•Arizona Fire & Medical Authority’s “Living in Wildfire Prone Areas” offers practical advice on maintaining defensible space, including vegetation management and property maintenance tips.

A ‘Safe Neighbor Program’ that we would suggest:

1. Weed-whack your property to reduce the height and density of ground cover. DO NOT blade your property or remove all ground cover to barren dirt. The barren dirt approach brings added problems of increasing evaporation and drying of existing trees and shrubs left standing and rapid runoff and erosion (if we ever get any rain), and less absorption of moisture, which is the best fire mitigator.

And then there is the problem of blowing dust amongst neighbors from disturbed barren dirt, and then on downwind during windy conditions... not very pleasant or desirable consequences.

2. If you light a barbecue grill or fire pit, please monitor it closely while it’s lit and extinguish it completely before leaving it.

3. Walk your property and determine if dried ‘fuel’, in the form of dead trees and weeds, could spread a fire and take steps to have them cleared / removed. If there is an overgrowth situation on an adjacent lot, we would encourage calling the owner and discussing the situation. A request may also be made in writing, with concerns, dated and emailed or mailed. The Resident Directory can be accessed on this website.

4. If you are the owner of a vacant lot, take action to remove out-of-control dry weeds and dead trees. Also, review your homeowner’s insurance policy and consider endorsing the Tubac ‘lot’ on your policy which extends ‘liability’ protection.

We thank you for keeping our Neighborhoods Safe. When neighbors look after neighbors there is no problem that cannot be solved!

Do not hesitate to contact the Architectural Committee if you have questions or concerns.

As always… don’t play with matches; stop-drop-and-roll; only you can prevent forest fires.

Your "Smokey" Tubac Valley Property Owners Association Architectural Committee