Photos: Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Tucson Fire Department firefighters burned 17 acres of dried grasses around the Sweetwater Wetlands and got some wildlands fire training in the process
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Capt Tom Carpenter, with the Tucson Fire Department, makes it to his escape route as he rushes to get away from the intense flames during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands, 2511 W. Sweetwater Drive, on March 7, 2017. The heat was so intense he removed his helmet to shield his face. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water’s Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department. The exercise provides a training opportunity for firefighters to get the chance to witness different fire behavior that you see only in wildlands fires, said spokesman Capt Andrew Skaggs.
Tucson Fire Capt. Tom Carpenter escapes intense flames during a controlled burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands, 2511 W. Sweetwater Drive, on March 7, 2017. The heat was so intense he removed his helmet to shield his face. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water’s Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the Tucson Fire Department. The exercise provides a training opportunity for firefighters to get the chance to witness different fire behavior that is only seen in wildlands fires, said spokesman Capt Andrew Skaggs.
For a gallery of photos of the Sweetwater burn, go to tucson.com/photo
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
A firefighter with the Tucson Fire Department steps away from the heat during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department. The exercise provides a training opportunity for firefighters to get the chance to witness different fire behavior that you see only in wildlands fires, said spokesman Capt Andrew Skaggs.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Heavy smoke starts to rise in the air as a couple of firefighters with the Tucson Fire Department monitor the fire during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Tall dry grasses choke some of the ponds as firefighters with the Tucson Fire Department set it on fire during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Heat, smoke and debris rises as Capt Mike Canfield, with the Tucson Fire Department, sits high on a ladder as he monitors the fires during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department. T
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Brian Wakefield, with the Tucson Fire Department, moves away from the intense heat during a March 2017 controlled burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Brian Wakefield, left, tosses a flare into the tall grass while with Adam Theriault, both with the Tucson Fire Department, during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
A rabbitt scurries between the tall grass as it makes its way to safety during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Adam Theriault, with the Tucson Fire Department, steps into the tall grass to try and ignite them during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Tom Clark and a colleage, with the Tucson Fire Department, step away from the heat during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Huge flames leap into the air as firefighter Tom Clark, with the Tucson Fire Department, steps away from the heat during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Tom Clark, with the Tucson Fire Department, walks away as a section of dry grasses gets ready to catch on fire during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Smoke drifts throught the air after the Tucson Fire Department set fire to the area during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Surrounded by drifting smoke Capt Tom Carpenter, with the Tucson Fire Department, keeps on eye on a section of burning grasses during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
A smoldering cattail smokes during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Firefighters with the Tucson Fire Department walk between two ponds they set on fire during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Sweetwater Wetlands Control Burn
Capt Tom Carpenter and others with the Tucson Fire Department rolls a smoldering tree stump into the burn area during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water's Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department.
Most Popular
The Wildcats never held a lead in losing to the Wolverines 91-73 in the late game of Saturday's Final Four, April 4, 2026, Indianapolis, Ind.
Arizona basketball fans gathered outside McKale Center on Wednesday morning to send-off the Wildcats to their Final Four match.
Thousands of eager Arizona fans flocked to Main Gate Square and McKale Center to watch the Wildcats take on the Wolverines in a Final Four mat…
Fans waited in the heat outside of McKale Center on April 5, 2026 to greet the Arizona men's basketball team as they returned from Indianapoli…
No. 2 UTA defeats No. 3 Arizona 78-55 in NIWBT women's semifinal on Thursday afternoon.
The Wildcats work out the day before taking on the Wolverines in the late game at the Final Four, Indianapolis, Ind., April 3, 2026.
No. 3 Arizona ends their run for back-to-back titles after a 66-57 point loss to No. 6 SMSU in the quarterfinals of the men’s NIWBT on Thursda…
Beginning at the base of "A" Mountain, Los Dorados Orphan League led worshipers up the narrow road to Sentinel Peak for the 59th Annual Proces…
Get a recap of Tuesday's local news stories from Arizona Daily Star.
Protesters in Tucson joined the more than 3,000 “No Kings” demonstrations planned across the country on Saturday, March 28, 2026, to push back…