The Scottsdale Fire Department has launched a new requirement aimed at reducing accidental brush fires in and around the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Contractors performing hot work — such as welding, cutting, grinding, brazing and torch-applied roofing — in designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) and open-space areas must now alert the department at least 24 hours before beginning work.
Why the change matters
Officials say the advance notice gives fire personnel time to plan and coordinate with contractors, position resources and confirm that on-site safeguards are in place before operations begin. The move responds to a pattern of hot-work operations that have previously ignited vegetation near the preserve, according to Scottsdale Fire Chief Tom Shannon.
“This notification requirement gives our crews the lead time they need to help contractors work safely while keeping our open space and community protected.”
The notification requirement is in addition to obtaining a standard International Fire Code/NFPA 51B Hot Work Permit. Projects that start on a Monday or immediately after a city holiday must be reported on the prior business day.
Site precautions and enforcement
The fire department lists several mandatory onsite precautions intended to reduce ignition risk. Failure to comply with the notification rule, or to maintain the required safeguards, could bring a stop-work order, a citation or denial of a certificate of occupancy.
- Clear flammable vegetation and materials within 15 feet of the work area.
- Perform work only on noncombustible surfaces.
- Suspend operations during Red Flag Warnings or when sustained winds top 15 mph.
- Keep fire-suppression equipment immediately available.
- Maintain a fire watch during work and for at least 60 minutes after completion.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Advance notification | At least 24 hours before work starts |
| On-site clearance | 15-foot defensible area around work |
| Wind cutoff | Stop if sustained winds exceed 15 mph |
| Post-work watch | 60 minutes minimum |
Broader strategy and local impact
The hot-work notification is one element of a broader, four-point strategy the department is using across Scottsdale’s roughly 57 square miles of wildland preserve. For residents and businesses around the preserve, the change means contractors must plan farther ahead and factor city coordination into project timelines. For homeowners near open space, the measures are intended to reduce the number of human-caused ignitions during the hottest and driest months.
Contractors are instructed to notify the Scottsdale Fire Department by calling 480-312-4895 (HTWK) or by email to the department’s hot-work contact as listed on the city website. The department will continue to rely on weather alerts and Red Flag Warnings to direct temporary suspensions of high-risk activities.
As wildfire seasons grow longer and hotter across Arizona, local policies that restrict risky operations near sensitive open space reflect a statewide shift toward earlier prevention, stricter job-site controls and more direct coordination between municipal fire agencies and contractors. For Scottsdale, a city with significant preserved desert lands within its boundaries, the new rule is a practical step to protect the urban edge and the trails and wildlife that draw residents and visitors.
Contractors and property owners should consult the Scottsdale Fire Department or the city website for the most current procedures and contact information before scheduling any hot-work activities in WUI or open-space areas.
