Fall evenings bring more community foot traffic—kids in costumes, residents out walking dogs in cooler weather, and outdoor HOA events. Unfortunately, these same conditions highlight one of the biggest hidden liabilities for Tucson-area HOAs: unsafe common areas.

It was late summer when a monsoon storm rolled into Tucson. The first crack of lightning lit up the desert sky, and within minutes, flames ignited in the buffelgrass covering a nearby hillside. The fire spread quickly, racing toward homes before firefighters could contain it. The homeowners were lucky this time—but the story is a sobering reminder of how quickly wildfire can strike in the Sonoran Desert, especially during summer heat and monsoon lightning storms.

In Tucson’s desert environment, especially during the monsoon season, fire danger is real and increasing. With the combination of summer lightning storms, drought-dried vegetation, and properties bordering mountain areas, wildfires can ignite in seconds and spread quickly. But there is something you can do to reduce your risk: create a Firewise landscape.