Arizona Dept of Forestry and Fire Management Earmarks Nearly $2 Million Dollars to Assist with Fuels Projects Across the State

As part of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s (DFFM) Healthy Forest Initiative (HFI), the agency will allocate $1.8 million for 12 fuels management projects that support 4,500-acres of wildfire risk reduction work.

One of the projects funding through the HFI grants supports the Peeples Valley Fire Department and Auxiliary with 44 acres of hazardous fuels reduction work in Wilhoit. Peeple’s Valley designed the project to increase defensible space, secure evacuation routes, and improve firefighter access. The project work aligns with Yavapai County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

Additionally, DFFM earmarked HFI funding to support a National Forest Foundation (NFF) project on the Coconino National Forest. Their project aims to mitigate wildfire risk, protect neighboring private lands, and enhance watershed health.

Total project funding includes:

• $173,000 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum
• $45,100 – Bridge Church
• $71,500 – City of Scottsdale
• $55,000 – Concho Fire Department
• $500,000 – NFF (two projects)
• $187,400 – Peeples Valley Fire Department and Auxiliary (two projects)
• $100,000 – Peeples Valley Fire District
• $500,000 – Salt River Project (two projects)
• $232,500 – Yavapai Firewise

DFFM’s HFI program focuses on fire prevention, critical infrastructure protection, and forest and watershed restoration through reduction of hazardous vegetation. These grants are one of many DFFM offers to support fuels reduction work, invasive plants and pest treatments, urban and community forestry efforts, and fire district/department equipment and training support.