Payson, Ariz. – With the 2025 Wildfire Season in Arizona underway, Commissioners, utilities, and the community of Payson came together for a Town Hall led by Corporation Commissioner Vice Chair Nick Myers.  The panel was comprised of officials representing APS, SRP, TEP/UniSource Energy Services, Alliant Gas, Navapoche Electric Cooperative, Arizona Water Company, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.  “This year’s wildfire mitigation town hall once again confirmed for me that Arizona has strong partnerships between utilities, government agencies, emergency responders, and local communities that proactively address the growing threat of wildfires,” stated Vice Chair Nick Myers, “Together, we are building smarter, safer, and more resilient systems to protect lives, property, and natural resources in our state.”

 Utility providers delivered presentations of ongoing and new wildfire mitigation efforts, which include tree and vegetation management programs, grid hardening, and updated inspection, repairs, and replacement programs.

 Presenting utilities discussed their newest wildfire mitigation programs - Public Safety Power Shutoffs or PSPS.  APS was the first utility to launch a PSPS program in 2024.  PSPS is a last resort tool when extremely high-fire risk conditions threaten infrastructure.  During a PSPS event, the electric utility may shut off power to specific customers in a high-fire risk area to prevent the electric system from starting or contributing to a wildfire through a downed wire or inadvertent spark. 

 This year, APS announced it is expanding its PSPS program to parts of Pinal and Navajo counties, which will affect about 65,000 customers.  SRP launched its PSPS program earlier this year, which will affect 99 customers in the Tonto Basin and Tonto National Forest.  TEP also implemented its PSPS program, which includes a mapping feature on the utility’s website, where customers can search for addresses to learn if they are included in a risk prone area for utility-caused wildfires.

Representatives with the Arizona Department of Forestry & Fire Management also presented its ongoing wildfire mitigation treatments, which include logging, mastication, hand work crews, chemical treatments and prescribed fires. Last year, DFFM treated nearly 24,000 acres of state land, and nearly 16,000 acres of non-state land projects.

“The most important takeaways for the public are simple but powerful: maintain defensible space around your home and make sure your contact information is up to date with both your utility and county emergency management. These steps can make a critical difference in wildfire preparedness and response,” concluded Vice Chair Myers.

 “Thank you to the regulated utilities who participated in the wildfire workshop hosted in Payson. Wildfire mitigation is an important issue that must be addressed across the entire state, and I was glad to participate and verify the preparation and plans made by our utilities,” said Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson. “Several state and federal elected officials staff participated also and I encourage them to share the information provided at the meeting via their newsletters to customers on registering medical devices that require electricity with our utilities, how to learn about public power shut off alerts and other important data.”

“Thank you to the utilities and forestry who presented in the workshop to explain how their collaboration, strategic actions, and use of technology helps mitigate risks and prioritizes safety,” said Commissioner Rachel Walden. "This town hall provides needed transparency and community engagement to address the growing concern of wildfires.” 

 The Commission approved a resolution during this Wildfire Mitigation Town Hall, commemorating May 2025 as National Wildfire Awareness Month.  A copy of the resolution is available here.