FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) announced the allocation of $10.9 million to help Coconino County manage the aftereffects of multiple wildfires, including the most recent, the Pipeline Fire in 2022.
“This allocation of state money to communities severely impacted by wildfires reflects a continued commitment by state government to local governments dealing with the devastating results of severe wildfires. I appreciate the diligence of emergency responders and elected officials in their efforts to collectively respond to the emergency needs of our citizens and property owners,” said Thomas Torres, Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Last month, DFFM received two assistance requests from the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County Flood Control District to address separate projects. The Coconino County Flood Control District requested approximately $10.9 million to fund the match requirement of funding already provided by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
“Last summer’s two major wildfires and the post wildfire flooding that followed devastated portions of Coconino County,” said Coconino County Board of Supervisors/Flood Control District Chair, Patrice Horstman. “Our congressional delegation, together with Flood Control District staff, were quick to secure almost $50 million in federal funding, which required a 25% County match, which is a huge commitment of funds but essential for long-term mitigation for our devastated communities. This Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s funding will be used to meet the County’s match. This means that the County can accept all federal funds available to the County, without having to decrease County programs and services, which would have been necessary to meet the federal match requirement. Arizona, through its DFFM funding, has really come through for Coconino County.”
The District has this week accepted federal funding from the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program as well as the Coconino National Forest to assist with the significant cost associated with post-wildfire mitigation and repair efforts. For more information about the DFFM grant, please contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at tdavila@dffm.az.gov
For the status of the Flood Control District’s ongoing flood mitigation efforts, important information about proper water diversion on private property, and information about private flood insurance and FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, please visit the county website at bit.ly/CoconinoCountyFCD.