FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The City of Flagstaff and regional partners have begun the process of updating the Greater Flagstaff Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), a key document designed to help communities better prepare for and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
City officials say the update is being funded through a grant awarded in 2025. The City has contracted SWCA Environmental Consultants to lead the update effort, which aims to create an actionable plan that empowers residents and communities to better protect lives, homes, and property from wildfire.
The CWPP is a community-driven plan that outlines priorities for wildfire mitigation and preparedness. It includes recommendations related to hazardous fuels reduction, public outreach and education, structural ignitability reduction, and improvements to fire response capabilities. The plan also helps guide partnerships between residents, fire agencies, land management organizations, and other stakeholders working to reduce wildfire risk.
The Greater Flagstaff CWPP was originally developed in 2005, with updates completed in 2012 and 2018. The current update process began in late 2025 and is expected to be completed by early 2027.
According to the City, the updated plan will focus on a core planning area within Coconino County, including Flagstaff, Sedona, and surrounding communities, identifying priority areas where mitigation measures are needed to protect life, property, and critical infrastructure.
The new CWPP will also be developed to complement the Coconino County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which is currently in progress, ensuring both incorporated and unincorporated communities are included in the broader wildfire mitigation strategy.
Officials say the updated plan will support actions such as hazardous fuel treatment projects on both public and private land, expanded public education efforts, and improved preparedness in communities considered to be at high to extreme wildfire risk. Much of this work will rely on collaboration between agencies and community members to develop landscape-level solutions to wildfire threats.
The finalized plan will serve as a guiding document for fire and emergency managers, land management agencies, and residents throughout the region.
Community engagement will be an important part of the planning process. The City of Flagstaff plans to host several public outreach events to gather feedback and input from residents, with additional details expected to be announced in the coming months.
Residents with questions can contact Neil Chapman with the City of Flagstaff at neil.chapman@flagstaffaz.gov or the CWPP development team at GreaterFlagstaffCWPP@swca.com
