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In the face of growing wildfire threats, extreme weather events and the possibility for other emergencies, Flagstaff is taking a proactive approach to community safety. About two years ago, the City of Flagstaff, in coordination with Coconino County, launched a citywide evacuation zone system designed to simplify emergency communication and response.

While the system is most often associated with possible wildfire evacuations, it’s much more than that. According to Emergency Manager Daniel Kelly, the zones were designed for all hazards -- from wildfires and floods to hazardous materials incidents or law enforcement activity requiring a lockdown or shelter-in-place.

“We call them evacuation zones, but really it’s all-hazard zones,� Kelly said. “It’s a public warning tool. Depending on the threat, it may be a shelter-in-place or a full evacuation.�

The city and county are divided into different zones, each labeled with recognizable neighborhood names like Lone Tree, Lake Mary, Pine Canyon and Cherry Hill. When Kelly sat down with the police department to help develop the zones, the goal was to make them usable for officers on the ground and easily understood by the public.

Flagstaff Fire Department's Deputy Fire Chief Chris Fennell explained, "The evacuation maps have streamlined our process for notifications during an emergency through establishing predefined blocks of property. In the past, we would have a point on a map and request a radius evacuation around that particular spot -- ¼ mile, 1 mile, etc. This caused people to be alerted or evacuated who did not need to be. Fast forward to what's in place now, we can select only those people who are needed in a very short timeframe."

Designed to support fast, clear communication, the zones allow emergency personnel to deliver targeted instructions quickly when time is critical. The system also enhances coordination between agencies, giving everyone a shared framework for response.

Though the zones were developed with wildfire in mind, they’re adaptable. If a wildfire is burning at a distance, the city may have time to prepare resources and issue gradual alerts. But if a fire breaks out in town or an unexpected incident occurs -- like a chemical spill in a neighborhood -- the response can shift to a fast-moving “Ready, Set, Go� evacuation.

“There may not be time to plan,� Kelly said. “We need to be able to act fast, and these zones help us do that.�

The evacuation zone project includes implementation, data analysis, mapping, and community outreach. And it’s not a static system -- it’s reviewed and updated every year.

Recent updates corrected a Geographic Information System (GIS) oversight that had left part of the Canyon Meadows neighborhood unaccounted for, and also incorporated rural pockets that hadn’t been previously zoned. “We’re always learning from each year,� Kelly said. “We refine it based on what we’ve seen and how things have changed.�

Flagstaff residents can enter their address online to find their assigned evacuation zone. Kelly strongly encourages people to take it further -- look up not just your home, but also your workplace, your children’s schools and any locations where loved ones spend time.

“Emergencies don’t just happen when you’re at home,� he said. “Knowing multiple zones can help you respond quicker.�

He also recommends printing out the zone maps and keeping them somewhere visible. “I’ve got ours in the pantry,� he said. “If my wife can’t remember our zone number in a hurry, she can just check the map. That small step can make a difference.�

While the zone system is an important step toward preparation, it’s just one part of a broader preparedness plan. Officials continue to urge residents to sign up for emergency alerts, stay informed through official channels, and keep a personal plan in place.

To find your evacuation zone, download maps, or sign up for alerts, visit