Federal fire managers who released their 2009 Wildland Fire Outlook on Friday say significant, above-normal fire potential will move into central and southeastern Arizona in late May and early June -- as spring winds give way to hotter and drier conditions.
But by early- to mid-July, a robust monsoon is expected to moderate significant fire potential across most of the region.
Fine fuels across central and southeastern Arizona have cured currently, with higher-than-normal fuel volume.
The fire outlook noted that the fine grassy-type fuels necessary to support large fire activity are absent in Arizona's southwestern deserts.
Meanwhile, cool temperatures, delayed green-up and adequate moisture is expected to hold fire potential within normal range across much of northern Arizona.
