Ahead of this year’s wildfire season, teams across Citizen worked to prepare new mapping, tools, and resources to ensure we could provide Citizen users affected by fires with the most reliable and up-to-date information available. And, with over 2.2 million acres burned by wildfires in the US so far, we know real-time safety information is critical.
Citizen Shared Safety-Critical Information With Phoenix Residents Displaced By 180,000-Acre Fire
The Telegraph Fire, Arizona’s largest wildfire this year, has burned over 180,000 acres, causing road closures and displacing many. Since the fire began on June 5th, Citizen has continued to provide our users with real-time updates and access to safety resources as firefighters have worked tirelessly to fight the fire.
Last week on July 7th, firefighters were called to the scene of a brushfire in the Globe Ranger District of Phoenix. In the span of three days, over 34,000 acres of dry shrubbery and grassland were scorched. The significant fire damage prompted officer-led evacuations near the Oaks Flats campground. Residents were advised to evacuate their homes and directed to shelters at nearby schools and community buildings as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Our team of Citizen analysts relayed information about changing safe shelter locations and Emergency Fire Closures. They provided users with up-to-date information on where refuge could be found as entry into nearby counties was prohibited due to the fire’s continued wreckage. When the damage spread to more than 52,000 acres, it beckoned the support of both FEMA and The Red Cross. Governor Doug Ducey declared Arizona to be in a state of emergency.
Citizen tracked power outages affecting more than 200 homes, ensuring our users were able to find resources that would see them through the difficult time. In the 34 days that fire, police, and local agencies fought to contain the pyre, we continued to guide our users toward safety. Citizen’s 24-hour operation ensured updates were given quickly to aid in the prevention of injuries and the Citizen app offered a space for our users to collectively grieve. Our chat forum allowed residents to engage with one another, share encouragement, and relay time-sensitive information during difficult evacuations and hazardous conditions.
Citizen is dedicated to our mission of building stronger and safer communities. We are proud that our team and platform was able to provide resources, share safety protocols, guide users to shelter and build community. We are humbled to have worked with local safety agencies to carry out this mission together.