Will Arizona Be the New California? Wildfire Prevention is Lacking

We watched from Arizona as wildfires devastated California. The heartbreaking images burned into our sympathies and our anxieties as we saw acre after acre destroyed by the unrelenting rage as fires tore through homes and businesses.

The threat of uncontrolled wildfire isn't an abstract fear in Arizona. Many people in our state have experienced intense wildfires in the past.

Out-of-control blazes have displaced families; some Arizonans even lost everything when first responders couldn't stop the raging infernos in time despite Herculean efforts.

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In Arizona, when we say we understand the plight of Southern California, we mean it. Compared to the massive level of devastation, most of Arizona has gotten off easy - for now.

Could "California-level" destruction hit Arizona? If a perfect storm of events occurred here, the answer is yes.

Arizona Power Companies Want to Be Shielded from Liability

Phoenix Mayor Wants More Funding for First Responders

Arizona taxpayers have been asked to fund renovations to Chase Field, the stadium the Arizona Diamondbacks call home.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego believes the $200 million the Diamondbacks want from the City of Phoenix would be better spent on our first responders, and she might be right.

Will Arizona Be the Next California?

Experts have expressed concerns about other similarities between Arizona and neighboring California regarding the possibility of a significant wildfire event happening here.

Like California, Arizona's power grid is aging and poorly maintained in some areas. Southern California Edison, reports Newsweek, is currently the target of lawsuits. Litigants claim the company's equipment sparked some of the wildfires.

Californians are STILL Moving to Arizona in Record Numbers

Dry vegetation surrounding the electrical equipment and unrelenting winds helped whip up the hazardous conditions, which quickly raged out of control. Years of drought across the West and highly understaffed fire stations were also factors contributing to the massive disaster.

Arizona should view the events in Southern California as a cautionary tale. If we don't heed the warning, Arizona could become the next California.

Sources: KTAR | Phoenix.gov | Fox10 | Newsweek