– Kenny Kovac, Fire Marshal, Sun City Fire District

As temperatures begin to climb across the area, fire safety becomes a seasonal priority for homeowners especially when it comes to yard maintenance. While green lawns may not be the norm in the Arizona desert, unmanaged weeds and dry brush can pose a significant risk if left unchecked.

In communities like Sun City and Youngtown, the concern is slightly different than in more rural or mountainous parts of the state. Sun City and Youngtown do not fall within what’s known as a wildland-urban interface region where homes directly border undeveloped, fire-prone land. However, that distinction does not eliminate the danger entirely.

Dead weeds and dry brush, common in residential yards during the late spring and summer months, do not spontaneously combust. Contrary to some misconceptions, they cannot self-ignite under normal conditions. Still, they can quickly become hazardous if exposed to an external ignition source such as a stray ember, discarded cigarette, malfunctioning equipment, or even sparks from a vehicle or power tool or increasingly, the use of weed burners.

Weed burners, also known as propane torches, are sometimes used as a quick method to eliminate unwanted vegetation. While effective, they introduce an open flame directly to dry ground cover, making them particularly dangerous. A brief lapse in attention, a gust of wind, or residual heat can ignite surrounding materials, leading to fires that spread beyond control in seconds. Several recent incidents in Sun City have been linked to or exacerbated by improper use of such tools.

As summer approaches, the combination of low humidity, high temperatures, and accumulated dry vegetation creates an environment where fires can spread rapidly once they start. Even in densely built neighborhoods, a small yard fire can threaten nearby structures, fences, and vehicles.

We consistently stress the importance of proactive yard maintenance. Clearing dead weeds, trimming overgrown brush, and removing debris from around houses and structures can significantly reduce the chance of a fire or the spreading of a fire. Maintaining a defensible space even in non-Wildland areas adds an extra layer of protection for both property and residents.

Beyond safety, keeping yards free of dry vegetation also supports community standards and reduces the likelihood of code violations. Many homeowners’ associations and code enforcement agencies enforce regulations requiring homeowners to manage excess weeds and combustible materials.

The message is simple: while residents of Sun City and Youngtown may not face the same wildfire threats as those in Arizona’s forested regions, the risk from dry yard debris is real. With summer heat just around the corner, now is the time to act before a preventable hazard becomes an emergency.

SCHOA 2026-2027 Community Resource Guide

SCHOA is proud to have produced the 2026-2027 Sun City Community Resource Guide filled with important information to navigate our unique community including:

• Information about many of our unique organizations that serve Sun City
• Important Phone Numbers
• CC&Rs for Single Family Homes
• Safety Tips
• Vetted Businesses from our Business Partner Program
• And Much More!

Click Here or On the Cover to Read and Share!

In the photo from Left:  SCHOA General Manager Lisa Gray, Del Webb Sun Cities Museum President Andy Kindler, Sun City PRIDES President John Terko, SCHOA Board President Ed Van Ness and Sun City Condominium Association President Sue Clark.  Photo taken by Sun City Posse Commander Tina Anderson.

Keeping With Tradition Sun City Gets Its Own Flag

Flying sixty feet high over Grand and 107^th avenues is a first for Sun City – an official community flag.

Three prominent flag poles have long been a symbol welcoming residents and guests near the original Sun City site, where thousands gathered to purchase homes captured in an iconic Jan. 1, 1960 photo in the same area.

In the middle of 107^th Avenue flies the largest, an America flag 10 feet by 14 feet long, with the Arizona flag to the south and the new Sun City flag to the north – both 6 feet by 9 feet long.

Historically, the representation of the ‘Sun City’ flag has changed over the years from an original Sunburst logo of the Del Webb Corporation, to other flags featuring logos specific to just one among many community organizations. Responsibility for caring for the flags has also been up in the air, so to speak, with the Sun City PRIDES taking the lead on raising and lowering it in the 1980s, and the Recreation Centers of Sun City taking on the role in later years.

Thanks to a coalition of Sun City leaders, a Sun City flag representing the entire community has finally found its place in the spotlight, with the PRIDES once again taking stewardship of the care of all three flags.

“The new Sun City flag is designed to capture the spirit of our community, featuring the original Sunburst logo and retro style font, in cheerful colors that celebrate Sun City as the ‘City of Volunteers’.  The flag is inclusive of our entire community and the organizations that come together to make Sun City such a unique and special place,” said Lisa Gray, General Manager for the Sun City Home Owners Association (SCHOA).

In addition to SCHOA and the PRIDES, the coalition of those involved in this venture also include the SCHOA Foundation, Sun City Posse, and the Condo Owners Association. All five organizations worked to create this flag and have committed to helping to finance the flags as they retire, and new flags are needed. This is truly a team collaboration.

In a community with many veterans and a strong sense of patriotism, the responsibility of caring for the flags is taken seriously by the Sun City PRIDES who are careful to treat each flag with respect. Historically the flags are raised each Labor Day and taken down on Memorial Day to protect them from the elements during the hot summer and monsoon season. This will continue along with three volunteers who will assist, to ensure each flag is handled appropriately, never touching the ground, as it rises into the sky and later back down.

The PRIDES will also lower to half-staff on important occasions, said John Terko, President of the group.  “The flags are a prominent piece of our history, and we are proud to be caregivers and treat each of the three flags with the respect they deserve,” Terko said. “I encourage you to drive by and take a look at the Sun City flag, and we hope it inspires pride to live in our community.”

The cost of maintaining the flags, and replacing those that are retired, is an expense the community can help the Coalition maintain. Each flag cost hundreds of dollars but it’s a tradition that our leadership coalition felt needed to be continued.

We have opened the opportunity for those in the community who would like to help financially keep this tradition alive. While the PRIDES will maintain the flags, donations should be made to the PRIDES who will set aside all donations designated for the flags in a special account to be used only for this effort. Donations can be mailed to Sun City Prides at PO Box 1463, Sun City, AZ  85372.

We know that weeds continue to be an issue this time of year, and want to help by sharing a natural, homemade weed killer that has worked for us!

The recipe is made from products that are easy to obtain locally – white vinegar, Epsom salt, and Dawn dish detergent. Multiple of our own staff followed this recipe and were thrilled to see weeds dead the very next morning!

The basic ingredients are 2 cups of Epsom salt, 1 gallon of white vinegar (5 percent dilution), and 1/4th of a cup of Dawn dish liquid.

Below is a link to the full article with instructions, that involve simply mixing the products together, letting it settle for two minutes, pouring into a spray bottle and spraying the weeds! We recommend spraying again the next day unless results are immediate. Pull any remaining dead weeds and roots.

Always keep safety in mind, of course, and read the safety instructions on any product you use.

Enjoy the full article here.

The Sun City Home Owners Association (SCHOA) kicked off 2025 with our Annual Meeting – celebrating our accomplishments in 2024 and sharing our 2025 goals.

It was important to begin the annual overview by reminding the audience that SCHOA has a long, rich history behind the very development of Sun City – and has continued to serve as a protector and advocate over the past 62 years.

While SCHOA membership is voluntary, adherence to the CC&Rs, otherwise known as deed restrictions, is mandatory. And membership growth can have a big impact on the entire community.

The good news is, membership in 2024 increased by nearly 500 new members, as new and current programs and activities were launched to educate, and support the community – including workshops, our electronic recycling event, the new residents’ orientation, and our annual Senior EXPO. Additionally, we launched our SCHOA online Merch Shop, updated our popular Sun City map — which is a community favorite — and launched our first annual Merry and Bright Christmas Lights Contest.

Compliance received 3,528 complaints in 2024, which is approximately 13 per day. The most reported issue is the condition of property. Kristine Schmitz, our compliance manager, reminded those in attendance that SCHOA enforces the CC&Rs, and what we don’t and can’t do is handle issues that involves law enforcement or civil cases.

SCHOA hosted the first Sun City Day of Service in October which brought out more than a hundred volunteers who helped to clean up 12 properties. This was a true community effort, and we are grateful for all those who volunteered their time to bless others. SCHOA also cleaned an additional 16 properties through our Community Intervention Program (CIP) and 3 properties throughout SCHOA Foundation RAMP program. So, in 2024, a total of 31 properties were cleaned through SCHOA.

Ed Van Ness, SCHOA Board President, told the audience that he was proud of what SCHOA has accomplished, and is looking forward to taking more steps forward in 2025. To quote him, “There are a lot of great things happening at SCHOA, and I only expect it to grow.”

I agreed with President Van Ness. I believe 2024 was a transformational and innovative year for SCHOA. Together our entire team has accomplished so much and I’m super proud of them. We look forward to continuing serving the community as we move into 2025.

The Sun City HOA provides a wide variety of resources to Sun City residents:

·        SCHOA maintains our CC&Rs or deed restrictions for single-family homes which protect property values.

·        SCHOA protects the age overlay that ensures we remain an affordable active adult community.

·        SCHOA monitors legislation and utility rates that could affect Sun City.

·        SCHOA offers a robust Business Partner Referral Program to its members that allows them to find companies that have been vetted and avoid being the target of scams and frauds.

·        SCHOA educates the community with a variety of events and meetings, as well as programs and activities from the monthly Roads and Safety Committee meetings to the recent First Annual Merry & Bright Christmas Lights Contest.

SCHOA membership is only $25 annually per household and is key to achieving its mission. It’s the best $25 you can invest in your community.

Learn more about the Sun City Home Owners Association at www.SunCityHOA.org, call (623) 974-4718 or stop by the office Monday-Thursday 9:00am until 3:00pm and Friday 9:00am until Noon at 10401 W. Coggins Drive, Sun City.

— Lisa Gray, General Manager