The CWPP serves 10 fire districts and six tribal communities in rural Coconino County.

Coconino County recognizes wildfire and post-wildfire flooding as its greatest threats to public safety. Since 2010, the county has experienced nine major wildfires that have burned more than 255,000 acres. Accordingly, the county faces a higher wildfire risk to residences than 84.5% of U.S. counties. This CWPP defines a site-specific approach to wildfire and watershed management for the majority of the county. In developing and implementing this CWPP, the community takes the lead in reducing wildfire risk across jurisdictional boundaries.

The development of the CWPP, which covers most of Coconino County's rural fire districts and tribal communities, will build on past efforts and lessons learned with the Greater Flagstaff Region CWPP, developed in 2005 and updated in 2012 and 2018. GFFP will lead the effort for this new CWPP, covering areas outside of the Greater Flagstaff Region and increasing the effectiveness of fuel reduction projects in and around Flagstaff and throughout the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests.

“These fire districts and tribes do not currently have CWPPs in place or plans to combat the biggest threats facing their communities, so developing a CWPP is essential as it will provide a roadmap for reducing wildfire risk for these 16 communities,” said Ann Motech with GFFP. “Historically, these fire districts and tribes have been underrepresented and undersupported in wildfire mitigation planning efforts. This new CWPP will provide them with the capacity and expertise they need to prepare for the next inevitable wildfire.”

Through the development of this CWPP, local organizations will build on previous efforts to identify wildfire risks in and around wildland-urban interface (WUI) communities and plan mitigation measures to reduce these risks. Specifically, the CWPP will conduct individual analyses for each of the 16 communities and develop “action plans” to prioritize and deliver on-site fuel reduction projects for valuable resources and assets in the WUI. Once this new CWPP is developed, organizations within the planning area will be able to apply for Community Wildfire Protection grants to implement projects within the CWPP. GFFP plans to apply for numerous grant opportunities to implement these risk mitigation measures.

“We are well aware of the dangers of wildfire in our forested areas and are actively working to mitigate this risk through forest restoration,” said Coconino County Forestry and Regeneration Director Jay Smith. “The Community Wildfire Prevention Grant Project complements these efforts by reducing the risk of wildfire outbreaks in residential areas, rural fire districts, tribal communities, and adjacent brush and grassland areas.”

If funded, the CWPP is expected to be completed in 18 months. The project will be overseen by GFFP, Coconino County, experienced contractors, and a core team made up of representatives from multiple fire and land management agencies, public utilities, tribal, state and county governments, nonprofit organizations, and other scientific and academic institutions.

For more information about the Community Wildfire Protection Grants Program, Community Wildfire Protection Grant Program | U.S. Forest Service (usda.gov).

Sean Golightly
Community Relations Manager
Coconino County Flood Control District
(928) 607-8805
sgolightly@coconino.az.gov