Rural Arizona couple learns the hard way property has no fire protection

CLARKDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — A couple moving to Arizona from North Dakota learned they had no fire protection coverage when a shed fire broke out on their Mingus Mountain property, which is northeast of Prescott, this week.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded using fire extinguishers from their patrol cars and shoveling dirt to put out hot spots around the burning shed.

Monday’s fire was how Kevin and Sue Hoerner learned their property sits outside the jurisdiction of any city or formal fire district.

“We’re aware of that now,” Kevin Hoerner said, laughing.

The Hoerners’ property is one of thousands of so-called “no man’s land” properties across Arizona that fall outside fire district boundaries, according to state forestry officials.

“We are looking into this right now. There’s about 13,000 properties just in Yavapai County,” said Tiffany Davila with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

The couple said they had no idea their property lacked fire protection when they purchased it.

“Either someone didn’t tell me or I didn’t even think to ask such a question,” Kevin Hoerner said. “I’ll tell you, in North Dakota, there is no such thing.”

Property owners in these areas may be eligible to annex into a nearby fire district or purchase a fire protection agreement with another provider.

The Hoerners said exploring those options is next on their list. They don’t blame anyone but themselves for the situation.

“It’s just something that now we know,” Sue Hoerner said.

The shed fire resulted in a $30,000-50,000 loss, destroying propane tanks, lithium batteries for solar power and a generator. The couple said they are thankful the fire didn’t spread to the forest or neighboring properties.

They set up a GoFundMe page to help Kevin rebuild his workshop.

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