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Lake Pleasant, north of Phoenix, is a major reservoir for Colorado River water. Each summer the lake is pumped down to send water to Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima counties. July 2021

Water cutbacks coming to Arizona

A decades-long drought means less water from the Colorado River.
The University of Arizona Herbarium is a research collection of over 425,000 dried plant specimens, with emphasis on the plants of the Sonoran Desert region and adjacent areas

Herbarium

The University of Arizona Herbarium is a research collection of over 425,000 dried plant specimens, with emphasis on the plants of the Sonoran Desert region.
This five day precipitation forecast map released by the National Weather Service on July 21, 2021 shows that much of the state's midsection is expected to get at least one inch of rainfall, with some areas receiving up to three inches, by Saturday night. Nearly all of the state is under a flash flood watch through 11:00 p.m. Saturday.

Flash flood watch through Saturday

NWS predicts 2006-style rainstorms into the weekend.
Scorched saguaros and desert landscape from the Telegraph Fire that started June 4, 2021 and spread across areas of Pinal and Gila counties. June 2021.

Ducey left out of White House wildfire meeting

The White House kept Governor Ducey off the list to talk about wildfires
Scorched saguaros and desert landscape from the Telegraph Fire that started June 4, 2021 and spread across areas of Pinal and Gila counties. June 2021.

Fire restrictions, State trust land and Navajo Nation

To reduced fire danger, access to state trust land closes and the Navajo Nation implements Stage 2 fire restrictions.
The Bureau of Land Management used prescribed burns across many of its properties for habitat improvement and to reduce the risk of severe wildfires.

Evacuation orders expand as wildfires continue to burn in Arizona

Hot weather and severe drought are driving an active fire season
Former Havasupai Chairman Rex Tilousi died Saturday, June 19 in Flagstaff.

Former Havasupai chairman dies at 73

Rex Tilousi was an advocate against uranium mining within the Grand Canyon, home of the tribe.
Tucson city lights are visible at sunset from the Catalina Mountains.

Fear of wildfires forces forest closures across Arizona

Nearly all the national forests in the state will be fully closed this week as firefighting resources run thin and fire danger remains high
Chiricahua National Monument.

Chiricahua National Monument could get an upgrade

A bill moving through Congress would make the popular spot into a national park.

Southwest US states bake, wildfire threatens Arizona towns

Warnings remains in effect for excessive heat in Arizona and Nevada at least through the weekend.
File image of a cliffside at Lake Mead.

Water cutbacks anticipated as Lake Mead levels drop

The reservoir's level hit a record low in June.
The Bighorn Fire burns on Sunday, June 7, 2020 near Oro Valley, Arizona.

Legislature passes wildfire relief bill

Hundreds of millions of dollars will go to help fight wildfires and communities impacted by the fires.
The Arizona State Legislature in Phoenix.

Arizona lawmakers advance $100M fire fund in special session

Wednesday's committee votes came after hearing dire warnings from state wildfire officials.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Tucson was 117 degrees, in 1990.

Heat wave grips US West amid fear of a new, hotter normal

It's raising concerns that such extreme weather could become the new normal amid a decades-long drought.
The Bureau of Land Management used prescribed burns across many of its properties for habitat improvement and to reduce the risk of severe wildfires.

Some residents remain evacuated by rural Arizona wildfire

More than 1,000 firefighters have focused on protecting structures and maintaining containment lines
Red fire retardant is visible on parts of the Santa Catalina Mountains as a result of firefighting efforts against the Bighorn Fire. June 2020.

One year after Bighorn Fire, Coronado National Forest fire risk remains high

Drought conditions have worsened over the last year.

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