Poll: Arizonans are worried about recent wildfires

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(The Center Square) - The vast majority of Arizonans are concerned about the recent wildfires happening in the state, according to a new poll.

Noble Predictive Insights released a poll last week showing that 78% of Arizona registered voters expressed worry about the fires that burned in Arizona during this fire season. 

In 2025, Arizona has seen one of the biggest fires in its history: the Dragon Bravo Fire. This fire has been burning at the Grand Canyon’s Northern Rim since July 4 and covers 145,504 acres, according to Inciweb, a federal government website about fires nationwide. The fire started because of a lightning strike.

This fire is 80% contained, Inciweb states. 

Another blaze that has been burning in Northern Arizona since July is the White Sage Fire, which is 58,985 acres. This fire was also started by lightning. According to Inciweb, this blaze in Fredonia is contained at 98%.

Due to the damage these fires were causing, the Small Business Administration declared an Administrative Declaration of Economic Disaster last month for businesses in Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai counties. These businesses are eligible for 30-year loans for up to $2 million. 

With most Arizonans worrying about recent fires, the poll also found that only 18% of voters thought the state was well prepared to handle future wildfires. 

“Wildfires touch every community in Arizona, and voters are telling us they do not think the state is ready enough for what lies ahead,” said NPI CEO Mike Noble.

Regarding how Arizona can better prepare for fires, 43% of voters said the state needed to improve its forest and land management abilities. Furthermore, they said Arizona needs to upgrade funding for firefighter and emergency response activities. 

Another 15% of poll respondents said Arizona needed to improve how it assisted residents and businesses recovering from wildfires. 

According to Noble, the “most striking” thing from this poll was the consensus. 

“Whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent, voters overwhelmingly want prevention to be the top priority,” the CEO explained. 

This NPI poll was conducted from Aug. 11 to Aug. 18 as an online opt-in panel survey. The poll involved 948 registered voters from Arizona. Moreover, it had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.18%.