Arizona

Preparing Arizona houses for wildfires can save them. Here’s why and what to do

Published

4 days ago

February 3, 2025

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Preparing Arizona houses for wildfires can save them. Here’s why and what to do

Arizona homeowners are facing soaring insurance costs and difficulty obtaining coverage due to the increasing risk of wildfires.
Wildfires are no longer a seasonal threat, and mitigation efforts can help protect homes and communities.
Insurance experts recommend creating defensible spaces around homes by clearing vegetation, using fire-resistant materials and maintaining roofs and gutters.

Arizona home insurance costs are soaring, and a growing number of homeowners near wildfire risk areas can’t even get insurance.

Wildfires are a big driver behind the state’s growing home insurance problems.

The Southern California fires make it clear wildfires are no longer seasonal, and the devastated area’s losses likely mean higher rates for Arizona property owners.

Wildfires aren’t just a rural problem. Metro Phoenix has had its share. In 2005, the Cave Creek Complex Fire that started in north Scottsdale burned 243,950 acres.

Many homeowners in both rural and urban areas can do more to protect their homes and communities from fire.

“Fire mitigation is key for protecting homes,” said Lori Munn, deputy director of insurance in the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, which formed the Resiliency and Mitigation Council to address wildfire damage prevention, home insurance problems and high costs.

Pricey home insurance, frustrated homeowners

Arizona led the nation for the biggest increase in home insurance costs between 2019 and mid-2024, according to one survey.

The Resiliency and Mitigation Council is working on getting updated information on average policy costs.

Mark Perkins’ insurance premium on his Phoenix house near South Mountain skyrocketed more than 200% from $2,500 to $7,600 last year.

“They (the insurer) said there was a 35% increase in rates across the board in Arizona, and the rest was due to perceived increase in fire risk,” he said.

He said the “desert there is pretty sparse” near his house.

Perkins switched insurers and kept his costs close to what they had been the previous year.

Insurers aren’t supposed to pass costs from natural disasters outside Arizona to Arizona homeowners.

“We don’t allow insurers to use losses on a hurricane in Florida to raise rates in Arizona,” said Tom Zuppan, property insurance analyst at the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

But that’s hard to regulate.

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Wildfires devastate ecosystems and communities alike and can be ignited unintentionally. Here are 7 ways you can accidentally start a wildfire.

The Republic

Homeowners jumping through ‘a lot of hoops’ for lower insurance rates

Since 1990, the number of Arizona houses in Wildland Urban Interface areas, known as WUIs, has more than doubled.

Those areas, where development and vacant land meet, are at high risk for wildfire, said Bill Boyd, deputy director of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

He said fire mitigation efforts are key to addressing Arizona’s home insurance problems.

New River homeowner Mark Dorsey recently “jumped through a lot of hoops” to get his insurance renewed.

He had to provide distances from his home to fire stations and hydrants, and photos of all sides of the house after cutting a lot of brush and trees to create a “buffer zone.”

“It was pretty nerve-wracking,” Dorsey said.

Some Maui and Southern California homeowners, who protected their homes with the right building materials and cleaned up weeds and other vegetation, were able to save their houses.

In the 2013 deadly Yarnell Hill Fire near Prescott, 60 homes with brush cleared around them survived while more than 500 others were destroyed. Arizona began funding wildfire mitigation work after that fire that killed 19 firefighters.

What homeowners can do to mitigate wildfire risks

Some insurers may be more willing to cover houses if the owners try to reduce wildfire risks, say insurance experts.

There’s no data yet on how effective mitigation work is in lowering rates or retaining a policy, but the Mitigation Council is also working on getting that.

Insurance and fire experts say mitigation efforts are important not just for individual property owners. Communities should work together on mitigation, they say, because embers move quickly from home to home, driving wildfires like the ones in the Los Angeles area.

Several groups and government agencies offer mitigation guidance, including Firewise USA, FEMA, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes and local fire departments.

Kate Stillwell, co-founder of the app Firebreak Risk, which identifies homeowners’ biggest wildfire risks and provides solutions, said mitigation work can be overwhelming for property owners and expensive.

She said DYI mitigation work costing $200 or less that homeowners can do on weekends is the most popular.

Fire mitigation strategies homeowners can undertake include:

Keep yards clear of flammable debris.
Move firewood away from structures.
Build with fire-resistant material, including composite, clay, metal, brick and concrete.
Limit flammable plants and trees within 100 feet of the home, which is considered the standard space needed to defend from a wildfire.
Trim branches that overhang a home, porch or deck.
Get dual-paned, tempered glass windows.
Remove flammable materials from carports.
Keep roofs and gutters free of leaves and pine needles.

But mitigation is tough for some homeowners to maintain, and it doesn’t always help get a property insured or lower rates.

Randy Scott owns a Pinetop home and said a lot of trees near his community were cut down in efforts to stop or slow fires.

Despite those efforts, he said his community’s insurance policy wasn’t renewed in 2023. To get insurance, the annual premium quadrupled from $50,000 to $200,000. The new policy also provides less coverage.

“The previous insurer said it wasn’t renewing because of our wildfire rating,” said Scott, who is president of his community’s homeowner association. “It’s hard to have to tell residents they can’t grill on their patios or store their fireplace logs outside.”

Reach the reporter at catherine.reagor@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8040. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @CatherineReagor.

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for Feb. 6, 2025

Published

11 hours ago

February 7, 2025

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for Feb. 6, 2025

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Arizona offers Powerball, Mega Millions, The Pick, Triple Twist, Fantasy 5 and Pick 3 as well as Scratchers, Quick Draw and Fast Play.

Lottery players have seen enormous jackpots recently, with previous winners of both the Powerball and Mega Millions breaking into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history. Money raised from Arizona lottery games goes toward funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation and economic and business development in the state.

Pick 3

8-7-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Fantasy 5

04-18-22-37-39

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Triple Twist

01-05-10-29-31-37

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy Arizona lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Arizona

Entrance fees to increase for Arizona state parks

Published

1 day ago

February 6, 2025

Press Room

Entrance fees to increase for Arizona state parks

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — You will soon have to pay more to get into Arizona state parks and trails.

Starting Feb. 25, park entrance fees will increase statewide.

According to Arizona State Parks, the fee increase at entrances for camping and tours will go toward supporting park operations. This includes improvements, staffing and amenities.

Expect the following price increases when visiting state parks after Feb. 25:

Instead of a the current choice of a standard annual pass with restrictions for $75 or premium pass for $200, visitors can buy one pass for $200 that includes all parks with no restrictions. This pass provides entry for up to four adults in a single vehicle for one year.

Camping fees, which are currently $15–$50 per night, will rise to a range of $25 for rustic (no hook-up) sites to $75 for oversized sites with full hook-ups at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area.

Day use fees will increase from the current $2–$30 range to between $10 and $30 for adults, depending on park and seasonality.

For tours at Kartchner Caverns State Park, expect an increase from $23 to $30 for people 14 years old and older. Riordan Mansion State Historic Park tour fees will rise from $12 to $18.

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Arizona

Arizona Republican unveils bill to cut college presidents’ salaries amid waning state support

Published

2 days ago

February 5, 2025

Press Room

Arizona Republican unveils bill to cut college presidents’ salaries amid waning state support

An Arizona lawmaker introduced a bill that would cap university presidents’ base salaries at $500,000. The bill would also limit bonuses to 15% of the base salary.
All three of Arizona’s public university presidents currently earn more than $500,000 in base salary alone.
The bill comes as the universities grapple with budget constraints and students face rising tuition costs.

The leaders of Arizona’s public universities each receive more than a million dollars a year in salary, bonuses and other benefits combined. A bill introduced this week looks to change that.

Senate Bill 1453 from Sen. David Farnsworth, R-Mesa, proposes capping the base salary of university presidents at $500,000 and limiting all bonuses at 15% of that base salary. Those bonuses would only be for performance exceeding their “assigned duties” and must directly benefit the school’s students, staff or faculty.

All three presidents currently make more than that in their base salaries. Arizona State University’s Michael Crow earns $892,500 annually, while that figure stands at nearly $713,000 for Northern Arizona University’s José Cruz Rivera and $810,000 for the University of Arizona’s President Suresh Garimella. Each receives additional benefits and bonuses.

According to a 2023 analysis from The Chronicle of Higher Education of public universities, each of the leaders of Arizona’s three major universities is among the top 30 presidents nationwide based on pay.

Some of the schools are facing difficult choices in the face of financial pressures. The University of Arizona currently faces a more than $60 million budget deficit, compared to an overall budget of $1.3 billion. University officials said they have worked to keep the scope of cuts focused on administrative costs.

This semester, in-person students at Arizona State University received a $350 tuition surcharge on their bill. University leadership said the decision was made after careful consideration of how $24 million in state funding cuts would impact the school.

Conservative leaders at the state Legislature have discussed targeting university presidents in the past. Senate President Warren Petersen argued last fall the presidents could be “doing better for less.”

“Would you support a reduction/cap on their pay?,” Petersen wrote on X. “Sounds like a good bill to hear in our #DOGE committees.”

University presidents are often not the highest-paid employees at a school — with salaries for top coaches continuing to rise. Both of the head basketball coaches at ASU and UA make more than $2 million with opportunities for other bonuses. Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, expressed interest late last year in making it easier for the Arizona Board of Regents to reach contract deals with coaches. His bill has yet to gain traction in the Legislature.

The bill is being introduced after several years of falling support from the Legislature. Arizona currently invests less than half of the national average per capita, according to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.

The issue is often a point of contention for higher education leaders. The Arizona Board of Regents, the body overseeing the state’s public university system, is calling for a considerable funding jump this year. They asked for $732 million more in funding to support its mission in providing higher education opportunities to Arizonans.

Students express frustration at increasing costs

Miranda Lopez of the Arizona Students’ Association, an advocacy group supporting the bill, said her peers have become increasingly frustrated over how money is spent at the schools.

She noted that pushing for legislation that would change the higher education landscape in the way they want has been difficult, noting the Republican majorities in Arizona’s House and Senate which have previously opted for conserving spend on higher education.

But this was something they agreed on.

“One thing that we can all agree on is that we think that these people who are in executive administrative positions, especially the president, are making too much money when they don’t need to be,” Lopez said.

She said the bill has received mixed feedback from lawmakers so far, with Democrats hesitant to support it. Lopez said Democrats have indicated that limiting presidents’ salaries feels too similar to a spending cut.

Lopez said their goal is not to cut support to higher education but to redirect money to issues they believe are more important.

“We’re not trying to cut the total amount, but rather, we’re trying to limit the amount that’s being given to one particular position,” she said.

Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at hrummel@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel.

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