Staff Reports | Community Updates
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 sign during a brief ceremony to mark the achievement, according to a press release.
“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,” Fire Chief Mary Cameli said. “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.”
Community leaders say efforts are ongoing and that they are exploring grant opportunities to support additional wildfire preparedness.
“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,” Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman said.
“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 and Medical Department to protect lives across our city.”
Mountain Bridge began the FireWise process in 2024 and recently removed more than 10,000 pounds of debris from a neighborhood wash as part of its mitigation work.
After seeing the impact of the January 2025 Palisades Fire in California, residents in Madrid moved quickly. By February they signed on to participate in 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,” Councilmember Alicia Goforth said. “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 drone technology—similar to tools used in agriculture to assess crop health—to evaluate vegetation surrounding communities. Data on moisture content, vegetation density and overall plant health helps identify areas of concern and guide mitigation efforts.
Arizona currently has 212 FireWise communities, including approximately 55 in Maricopa County. Madrid and Mountain Bridge join Las Sendas as the FireWise‑recognized communities in Mesa.
