Two Mesa Neighborhoods Recognized as FireWise Communities

March 3, 2026 at 1:19 pm

The Mountain Bridge and Madrid communities in northeast Mesa have been recognized as FireWise communities for their efforts to reduce wildfire risks. City and Fire and Medical Department leaders unveiled a new sign during a brief ceremony to mark the achievement.

"Every year, wildfires burn across the United States. At the same time, a growing number of people are living in areas where wildfires pose a real risk," said Fire Chief Mary Cameli. "While these fires will continue to happen, there are things residents can do to protect their homes, neighborhoods, and families. That's where the Firewise USA program helps neighborhoods to harden their homes and create defensible space. Today we are proud to add two communities in Mesa."

"As a retired Mesa Fire Captain Paramedic, I've seen firsthand how quickly conditions can change and how important preparation is before an emergency ever begins," said Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman "FireWise is a commitment to doing the hard work ahead of time so firefighters can respond more safely and effectively. I'm proud of the leadership shown in Mountain Bridge and Madrid, and will continue supporting efforts that strengthen partnerships between our residents and the Mesa Fire & Medical Department to protect lives across our City."

The Mountain Bridge community started the FireWise process in 2024. In recent weeks they cleaned up over 10,000 pounds of debris from a neighborhood wash as part of their mitigation efforts. Community leaders say the work is ongoing and are exploring grant funding opportunities to continue strengthening wildfire preparedness.

After seeing the impact of the January 2025 Palisades Fire in California, residents in Madrid quickly mobilized. By February they signed on to go through the FireWise process and in March they organized their first community clean up.

"Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility, and the FireWise designations for Mountain Bridge and Madrid show what's possible when neighbors work together," said Councilmember Alicia Goforth. "I'm grateful to everyone who put in the time and coordination to earn this recognition, and I want to thank the Mesa Fire and Medical Department staff for their active partnership and steady guidance. This is the kind of proactive, community-driven work that keeps District 5 and all of Mesa safe today and in years to come."

The Mesa Fire and Medical Department also uses advanced drone technology, similar to that used in agriculture to assess crop health, to evaluate vegetation surrounding communities. Data such as moisture content, vegetation density and overall plant health help identify areas of concern and guide mitigation efforts, giving neighborhoods clear direction on where to focus their work.

Arizona currently has 212 FireWise communities, including approximately 55in Maricopa. Madrid and Mountain Bridge join Las Sendas in being recognized as FireWise communities in Mesa.