Funding to Help Arizonans Under HB 2001 - August 12, 2021

Phoenix, AZ (8/12/2021) - On June 18, 2021, Governor Ducey signed HB 2001 which provides $100 million dollars to address Arizona wildfires and some of fire’s effects on the people of Arizona. 

• $25 million for the Healthy Forest Initiative
  • The Healthy Forest Initiative (HFI) addresses one of the contributing factors to wildfire-excessive fuels on the landscape. The HFI is a partnership between DFFM and the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry which will employ over 700 Arizona inmates to clear dangerous fuels near communities and across the state.
• $19 Million for wildfire suppression
  • This money is used to pay for fire suppression and to position fire suppression. resources where they are needed the most. 
• $10 Million for state capital expenditures and equipment associated with fire suppression
  • This money will be used to better equip DFFM and the 12 inmate wildland firefighting crews that we use to suppress fires.
• $36 Million in funding for mitigation projects to address post fire flooding and other damage that may occur as a result of fires or fire suppression activities
  • DFFM has partnered with the Department of Emergency Management to distribute this money.
  • Local governments, through their county emergency management offices can apply for this money to fund flood mitigation projects and equipment.
  • Money is also available for post-flood debris removal.
  • Emergency monies to address flooding are available to both public and private landowners.
  • Emergency Shelter/wrap around and support services
  • Applicants should contact their respective county emergency managers.
• $10 Million for financial assistance to public and private landowners emergency infrastructure repairs for infrastructure damage resulting from fires or fire suppression activities
  • These monies will be distributed via a grant program that will be available to public and private landowners on August 20, 2021.
  • These monies are intended to address infrastructure damage caused during a fire.
  • HB 2001 stipulates that DFFM must be the payor of last resort and requires that these monies be used to supplement, not supplant any federal monies. We interpret this meaning that applicants will have to exhaust all other funding sources before we can fund their project.