In recent years, wildfires and post-wildfire flooding have caused millions of dollars in damages in Flagstaff and surrounding areas. Now, Coconino County supervisors and the U.S. Forest Service are eager to find solutions and stop the cycle of devastating fire and recovery before it happens.
Supervisors approved more than $7 million in funding to reduce fire risk in vulnerable areas around Flagstaff and Williams. Coconino County Supervisor Patrice Horstman said this is extremely important to them as wildfires and post-wildfire flooding are the number one risk to public safety in the areas.
“Obviously, it is a high priority for us to get this taken care of,” she said.
Earlier this month, a new study presented to the county showed what would happen if the forests west of Flagstaff in the Upper Rio de Flag Watershed weren’t thinned and treated before a fire sparked.