Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher firefighters wet down the brush from a wildfire.
Contributed Article
WASHINGTON D.C. – Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will release $12.8 million in disaster funds for the Museum Fire Flood, Telegraph Fire, and Bush Fire Flooding after both Senators pressed the administration for wildfire relief.
“This funding will help Arizona recover from some of the largest and most destructive wildfires in recent history,” said Senator Kelly. “Years and months after these fires, communities near Globe, Miami, Flagstaff, and Saguaro Lake still face serious public safety risks from post-fire flooding that endangers ranchers, tribal communities, and others who utilize and care for our land. I will continue to advocate for more federal resources to help protect Arizona from wildfires.”
“We’re glad the administration agreed to our request and released federal disaster funding, providing much-needed relief for Arizona communities still experiencing the impacts of wildfires,” said Sinema.
In October, Kelly and Sinema urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release Emergency Watershed Protection Program funds as quickly and at the highest possible level for Arizona. Both Senators sent this letter following Congress’ passage of the Continued Resolution which included $275 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
In their letter, they underscored the continued threat Arizona continues to face with major fire disasters year after year, the effects of which could continue to be felt years down the line. Kelly and Sinema note the 2019 Museum fire outside of Flagstaff in Coconino County, and this past summer’s monsoon season resulted in extreme flooding from the burn scar that imperiled lives, property, and the area’s watershed.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law, led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly, invests $8.25 billion to protect communities against wildfires, support wildfire recovery efforts, and reduce hazardous fuels on federal, state, and tribal lands.
Click HERE to learn more about how the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act impacts wildfire mitigation.
