A bipartisan infrastructure law set aside money to help offset the effects of wildfires across the West.
The Biden administration has announced that one county in Arizona will receive a portion of that funding.
Vice President Kamala Harris said at a press conference that Gila County will receive $341,000 for evacuation planning, community education and fuel thinning.
She spoke of her experience in her home state of California, which has had devastating wildfires in recent years, and said climate change is exacerbating the problem.
“But what if we broadened our focus on investing in prevention as well as response to respond to this moment,” Harris said. “This is, of course, about preparedness and resilience. Fire Because we know the best time to fight is before the fire starts.”
She was joined by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who said drought, climate change and the growth of rural areas have made it a year-round wildfire season.
