National Weather ServiceArizonaFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Arizona
The National Weather Service issued 25 fire weather watches for Arizona in 2025 and 35 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 12th most of any state. 2026 through September: 15, 55% below the average of 33 for those months in 2008-2025. Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County was covered most often (165 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Arizona get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Arizona. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 15 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2021 | 32 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 44 |
| 2017 | 28 |
| 2016 | 23 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2014 | 50 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2012 | 45 |
| 2011 | 68 |
| 2010 | 41 |
| 2009 | 50 |
| 2008 | 71 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Arizona get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Arizona?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County | 165 | 17 | June 30, 2026 |
| Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264 | 165 | 16 | June 30, 2026 |
| Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County | 157 | 16 | June 30, 2026 |
| Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County | 153 | 17 | June 30, 2026 |
| Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau | 139 | 13 | June 26, 2026 |
| Black Mesa Area | 129 | 13 | June 26, 2026 |
| Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward | 127 | 11 | June 26, 2026 |
| Chinle Valley | 125 | 11 | June 26, 2026 |
| Coconino Plateau | 119 | 8 | June 26, 2026 |
| Northwest Deserts/Northwest Plateau | 115 | 8 | June 26, 2026 |
| Grand Canyon Country | 110 | 5 | June 26, 2026 |
| Southern Graham-Central and Eastern Cochise-Southern Greenlee-Lower Elevations of the San Carlos Apache Nation in Graham County | 106 | 28 | June 27, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Arizona.