Millions of Dollars Invested into Arizona to Protect Communities From Wildfire
Phoenix, AZ (5/16/2024) – The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management announces a multi-million-dollar investment into the state of Arizona provided through the USDA Forest Service as part of their Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG). The grants provide financial assistance to at-risk communities to protect their residents from catastrophic wildfire through the development and implementation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP). These master plans must be designed to provide for wildfire risk reduction, build fire adapted communities, prioritize hazardous fuels reduction work, and promote fire training to ensure a collaborative, unified response between local fire departments, the state, and federal land management agencies.
The USDA Forest Service earmarked nearly $7 million for DFFM to fund six fire prevention and community protection projects. More than half of that funding goes toward a significant fuels reduction project for the community of Pine Lake in Mohave County. Additional projects supported include, development of new CWPPs for Santa Cruz and Coconino Counties, along with updates to existing plans for the Greater Flagstaff area and Cochise County, and a fuels reduction project in Patagonia as outlined within the existing Pima County CWPP.
“The CWPP serves as a comprehensive blueprint for wildfire mitigation and preparedness tailored to our area's specific needs and characteristics. By identifying high-risk areas, implementing proactive measures, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the CWPP plays a pivotal role in enhancing the resilience of our community to wildfire incidents. Additionally, by prioritizing prevention and preparedness, the CWPP helps reduce the economic and ecological impacts of wildfires, preserving the vibrancy and vitality of our community for generations to come. As we move forward, the Santa Cruz County Office of Emergency Management remains dedicated to implementing the strategies outlined in the CWPP and continuing our collaboration with local authorities, residents, and stakeholders to ensure our community's ongoing safety and well-being. We extend our sincere gratitude to both organizations for their invaluable support in this critical endeavor,” says Sobeira Castro, Director for the Santa Cruz County Office of Emergency Management.
DFFM’s CWPP Program Coordinator Karl Gehrke knows how important these grants are to communities like Pine Lake, one of the most at-risk areas for wildfires in the state. “Soon after the 2021 Flag Fire in Pine Lake, residents asked DFFM Prevention for help with mitigation efforts. We immediately engaged with outreach, guidance, and conducted home assessments to quickly get them aligned with Firewise USA standards which allowed them to enter the program. Now with this nearly $4 million in federal funding, we can take their efforts one step further and map out long-term community protection projects to better safeguard Pine Lake. We appreciate the continual support of the USDA Forest Service as we work together to build a healthier and safer Arizona.”
CWPPs must be developed under the guidance and with collaboration of DFFM and federal agencies. Arizona currently has 13 active CWPPs with counties, municipalities and other stakeholders. The funding stems from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through his Investing in America Agenda.
You can read more about the USDA Forest Service funding at: bit.ly/3V2gESt. For more on Arizona’s CWPP program and processes visit: bit.ly/3WKjLjg.
