Arizona lawmaker asks Air Force to reconsider flare protocols over wildfire risk

(The Center Square) – Arizona State Rep. David Cook is asking the United States Air Force to enact stricter measures when it comes to dropping flares in parts of the state at a high wildfire risk.

Cook, R-Globe, took issue with the Environmental Impact Statement draft that included the plan for the flares to be "released" at "lower altitudes."

“While Arizona is an important state for conducting strategic military training operations, the Air Force needs to take every precaution to protect people and land from preventable disasters, including wildland fires,” he said in a statement.

“Releasing flares during times when fire restrictions are in place poses an unnecessary risk to residents. The military must recognize the danger these flares pose to Arizona communities and ensure that no flares are deployed on days when state or local fire restrictions are active," the lawmaker continued.

In his letter to the Air Force, he added that everyone plays a role in limiting wildfires through "activities" that could pose risk. Specifically, he cited the 2021 Telegraph fire as a reason for concern about the current draft.

"While 'the DAF believes it is unlikely that the fire was caused by flares,' the cause of the Telegraph fire has not been fully resolved, and the Draft EIS does not rule out the possibility that flares were responsible for the fire," he wrote.

There are various "at risk" communities as numerous fires burned throughout the state this summer, according to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management .