Desert Resilience: Effective Roadway Management to Combat Arizona’s Rising Wildfire Threats

Abstract: Wildfires have increased substantially in frequency, size, and intensity over recent decades, with predictions indicating that these trends will continue to worsen. In Arizona, recent wildfires have caused significant damages to roads, affecting transportation infrastructure, public safety, and the economic activity in the state. Climate change —marked by prolonged drought and extreme weather events — along with land development and historical fire-suppression practices, have contributed to increases in both the frequency and severity of wildfires in upland forests and desert biomes, with desert ecosystems being particularly vulnerable, as they are not naturally adapted to fire. Consequently, fires in Arizona devastate native plants and disrupt ecosystems, creating the conditions that heighten the risk of severe damage to roads and other transportation infrastructure. Furthermore, roads can act as vectors for fires, impacting the native vegetation, and poor management can significantly elevate fire risk. Therefore, understanding and enhancing efforts to effectively manage right of way near critical roadways are essential for supporting post-fire native vegetation recovery and reducing long-term transportation infrastructure costs.
This study examines recent wildfire occurrences from 2009 to 2021, focusing on areas where the state highway network has been affected. Eight study sites where wildfires have led to roadway damage are selected based on a range of factors, including biome diversity, wildfire history and severity, and the extent of transportation infrastructure damage. At these sites, we analyze the relationship between ADOT’s post-wildfire maintenance efforts and vegetation recovery and identify the key risk factors associated with effective roadside management strategies for wildfire prevention, control, and recovery. The research findings have the potential to identify successful management strategies that can help reduce costs and roadway damages from wildfires, while also supporting ecosystem recovery in the desert region. The study provides important insights for developing practical interventions to minimize wildfire impacts on transportation networks and promote the safe, efficient functioning of Arizona’s transportation network.