A Win-Win For Arizona: Wildland Fire Resources Expand Thanks to New Legislation
Phoenix, AZ (5/17/2024) – With the recent passing of House Bill 2751, the State of Arizona can now reach a bigger pool of wildland firefighting resources, including equipment and overhead when the state moves into higher preparedness levels and fire activity increases. With Governor Katie Hobbs’ seal of approval, HB 2751 allows Arizona to enter into the Great Plains Interstate Fire Compact that currently includes the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakotas, Wyoming, and the Province of Saskatchewan.
The entrance into the compact grants Arizona the ability to utilize state-to-state resource agreements instead of relying solely on federal resources through their national mobilization process. During Arizona’s busy wildfire season, the state can more freely and more efficiently order those compact resources to assist with fire suppression needs.
“While Arizona relies heavily on its federal partners’ equipment and wildland fire personnel, this compact allows the department to improve the way we do business. It helps us get resources into the state faster when the need arises to ensure our commitment to public safety. In addition, compact resources can help fill gaps when our local resources become overwhelmed, get depleted and need some time to rehabilitate. Furthermore, Arizona can reciprocate and share our state resources to these compact states, including Canada, if requested. This compact is a win-win for everyone,” said DFFM Fire Management Officer, John Truett.
“Our communities are at risk of wildfires 24/7, 365, and we need to make sure we are adequately prepared no matter what month of the year it is,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “I am proud to sign House Bill 2751 into law, officially adding Arizona to the Great Plains Interstate Fire Compact and in turn increasing public and firefighter safety. Joining the Greater Plains Interstate Fire Compact will further protect Arizona communities, our residents, our forests, and our infrastructure, and I am excited to deliver this additional assistance to the men and women who work every day to protect Arizonans from wildfires.”
Currently, there are seven wildland fire compacts in the country, including the Great Lakes, Big Rivers, Great Plains, South Central, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northwest. In order to join a compact, the state requesting to join must be neighboring a state already in a compact. Arizona’s commitment to the Great Plains Interstate Compact opens the door for neighboring states to enter and ultimately increasing resources exponentially.
With Governor Hobbs’ bill approval and signature, DFFM can start utilizing resources for the 2024 wildfire season.
For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at [email protected]
