A task force of state legislators has released its final report assessing Arizona’s wildfires and post-wildfire flooding.

The commission will assess what changes are needed in state laws and regulations in managing wildfires, including wildfires like the 2021 Summer Telegraph Fire, which burned more than 180,000 acres. To do so, we looked at recent wildfires across the state.

Tali Infante and Todd Stradinger lost their recently renovated retirement home in El Capitan, Gila County, Arizona.

More than 18 months after the fire, the family recently moved into a new home on the property.

“We have insurance. People think you’ll be fine, but we’re not. Insurance doesn’t pay 100%. Still, you have to fill the gap out of your own pocket.” said Infante.

The Ad Hoc Commission did not adopt any recommendations, but it does highlight new legislation enacted regarding wildfire management in Arizona.

Most of the legislation deals with funding, such as assistance to individual landowners, including those who keep livestock. One of the new laws relates to wildfire prevention, mitigation and suppression activities.

Representative Dave Cook, who is chairman of the committee, said he also looked into how much it would really cost after the fire was extinguished.

“What they found in the Schultz Fire cost state taxpayers in these communities about $240 million in the first three years after the fire.”

In the case of Infante, she said she didn’t see much help, but believes more protections and programs for private property owners are needed, and is willing to replant trees on her land. It even mentions programs that are useful for

“They say they won’t come back on their own.”