A good fire pit changes everything. Your patio becomes the place where you actually want to be: lingering over coffee in the morning, staying outside long past dark.

But out here in the desert, you can't just wing it. The wind picks up out of nowhere, everything's tinder-dry half the year, and that clearance around the flames? It matters more than you think.

At Sanctuary Custom Construction, we approach Tucson outdoor fire features the same way we approach a luxury custom home: with site-specific planning, desert integration, and the kind of decisions that hold up over time. Designing desert sanctuaries means thinking about the beautiful parts and the practical parts, together.

Start with location and clearance

Most fire feature problems are location problems. The good news is that location is something you can control early, especially when your outdoor living is being planned as part of a larger design-build scope.

When we talk about safe placement, we’re talking about what happens when the flame is taller than expected, when the wind picks up, and when people are moving around with a drink in hand. We think about things like:

Overhead elements like patio covers, pergolas, and low branches that can trap heat
Nearby finishes and furnishings, including cushions, rugs, and privacy screens
Traffic flow

For custom fire features, we also pay attention to what the fire feature sits on. You need a solid, noncombustible base: concrete, pavers, stone, something that won't crack or shift when it heats up.

You also need to be careful with gaps around the firepit's surface. Gaps let embers drop through, uneven transitions create trip hazards, and poor drainage means water pools where it shouldn't.

Desert wind

Wind impacts comfort and safety. It can push heat toward seating, distort the flame pattern, and carry embers farther than you’d expect, especially with wood.

That’s why wind planning shows up early in the design process. We consider orientation, natural wind breaks, wall placement, and courtyard geometry so the feature feels intentional.

Gas vs. wood: choosing the right fuel for how you live

Both options can be beautiful. The safer choice often depends on how you want to use the space, how windy your lot is, and how hands-on you want to be.

Gas fire features

Gas fire features are popular in luxury homes in Southern Arizona for a reason. They are controllable. You can shut them down quickly, the flame is more predictable, and there are fewer stray sparks than a traditional wood burn.

Safety still hinges on the build and the installation. A gas fire feature should be designed with proper components, correct gas sizing, and a shutoff that is easy to access. We also think about seating distance and how the heat will “live” in the space, because a fire feature that looks perfect but feels harsh is not going to be used.

If you want an outdoor fire feature that fits weeknights and special occasions, gas is often the better option.

Wood-burning fire features

Burning wood cannot be imitated. That crackle, the scent, the ritual. But wood also comes with more variables in the desert.

Wood-burning safety is partly about the feature itself, and partly about how you operate it. Dry, seasoned wood helps reduce popping. A spark screen can be a smart choice depending on the design. And you need a plan for extinguishing.

With wood, the biggest safety factor is attention. If you want to light it and walk away, wood is not the right choice for you.

Safety habits that make your outdoor fire feature easy to use

Even with a beautiful build, day-to-day habits matter. Here’s what we recommend homeowners keep in mind, particularly during dry stretches and windy seasons in Tucson:

Keep the area around the feature clear before every use.
Confirm your fuel source is in good shape, whether that’s a gas line connection or wood storage.
Stay present while it’s burning, and fully shut it down before you head inside.

Where Sanctuary fits

Sanctuary Custom Construction is a design-build team focused on elevated custom living in Southern Arizona, and that includes outdoor spaces that feel grounded, comfortable, and built for your lifestyle. When we design Tucson outdoor fire features, we look at the full picture: wind patterns, finish selections, clearances, and how your indoor-outdoor living works on an ordinary day.

Because the goal is simple. A fire feature you trust enough to use often.

Ready to plan a fire feature that fits your home?

If you’re considering an outdoor fire feature as part of a new build or a larger outdoor living plan, we’d love to talk through options, placement, and safety considerations from the start.

Contact us for a quote, and let Sanctuary Custom Construction guide the process from first ideas to final finishes.

Outdoor Fire Feature Safety in the Desert: Gas vs. Wood and Wind, and the Details That Matter