Scottsdale this week moved to tighten controls on activities that can spark wildfires in neighborhoods and open space bordering the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Under the new directive, contractors performing so-called hot work — including welding, cutting, grinding, brazing or torch-applied roofing — in the city's designated Wildland Urban Interface and open space areas must notify the Scottsdale Fire Department at least 24 hours before starting.
What contractors must do
The notification is intended to give fire crews time to review plans, coordinate with crews on site and identify specific hazards before sparks or heat-producing work begins in areas surrounded by dry desert vegetation. The city emphasized that the notification requirement does not replace existing hot work permits required by the International Fire Code and NFPA 51B standards.
- Contractors must call 480-312-4895 or email the Fire Department at least 24 hours in advance.
- If work is scheduled for a Monday or the day after a city holiday, notification must be made on the previous business day.
- Work areas must be cleared of flammable vegetation and materials within 15 feet.
- Hot work must be performed on noncombustible surfaces with fire suppression equipment available throughout the project.
"Hot work operations have repeatedly sparked brush fires near the Preserve. This notification requirement gives our crews the lead time they need to help contractors work safely while keeping our open space and community protected," Fire Chief Tom Shannon said.
Enforcement and limits
City officials said the new rule goes into effect immediately for work performed in the designated wildland and open space zones. It supplements other safety measures: contractors still need to secure any required hot work permits under state and national fire-safety codes. The Fire Department also confirmed that hot work must pause during Red Flag Warnings or when supervisors judge conditions too hazardous.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Advance notice | At least 24 hours by phone or email; previous business day for Monday or post-holiday work |
| Worksite clearance | Remove flammable vegetation and materials within 15 feet of work area |
| Surface and equipment | Use noncombustible surfaces; keep fire suppression equipment on hand |
Local context and consequences
The policy reflects growing attention across the Valley to wildfire risk as the region sees longer dry seasons and more people living at the edge of natural areas. In Scottsdale, where trails and homes sit close to desert slopes, even routine construction and maintenance work can become an ignition source when sparks meet brittle brush.
For contractors and property managers, the new notice window adds an administrative step but also an opportunity: early coordination with fire crews can prevent delays, reduce the risk of accidental ignitions and demonstrate compliance with city safety expectations. For residents, the rule is intended to reduce the number of brush fires that have in past incidents required mountain rescues, road closures and neighborhood evacuations.
City officials said the requirement applies to work in the designated Wildland Urban Interface and other open space areas around the Preserve. Contractors who fail to comply could face enforcement actions tied to existing permitting and fire code provisions.
Scottsdale's move mirrors a broader trend in Arizona municipalities to tighten oversight of activities that produce heat or sparks. As urban development continues alongside desert open space, local governments are increasingly shifting resources toward prevention — coordinating inspections, public education and stricter permitting rules to protect both property and natural areas.
Contractors and residents with questions were directed to the Scottsdale Fire Department at 480-312-4895 for guidance on notification and safety requirements.
