Funding Available to Assist Landowners with Reducing Risk of Wildfire

Flagstaff, AZ – April 4, 2007 – A recent snow survey released by the Natural Resources Conservation Service shows that snowfall in Arizona was 80% below average this winter. This translates to less snowmelt and runoff, stressed water supplies, and high risk of wildfire. The drought, combined with predicted above-average temperatures, will cause the fire season to be earlier and more severe than normal. It is critical for landowners to reduce flammable fuels on their properties in order to protect their homes and families from catastrophic wildfire.

This type of work – tree thinning and brush removal – can be very expensive. The Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership has funding available to help. This funding is made possible through grants to GFFP from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Forest Health Program and the Arizona State Land Department State Fire Assistance Fund. Landowners are eligible to have half of their total costs to treat their properties, or up to $400 per acre, reimbursed.

Currently approximately $50,000 is available in the Cost Share Program. Anyone who owns property in the greater Flagstaff area wildland/urban interface zone is strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The property must be inspected by a representative from one of our local fire departments and property treatment work must be completed before the reimbursement can be released to the landowner. It is important to apply early and get the work completed before the fire season hits.

Information about the Cost Share Program and applications are available for download on GFFP’s website: www.gffp.org or can be requested by calling the GFFP office at (928) 226-0644.  In addition, the Cost Share Program will be discussed and applications available at the Partnership's monthly Community Forest Forum on Tuesday, May 1 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the City Council Chambers at Flagstaff City Hall, 211 West Aspen Street.

The Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership is an alliance of more than 20 environmental, governmental, and business organizations dedicated to researching and demonstrating approaches to forest ecosystem restoration in the ponderosa pine forests surrounding Flagstaff, Arizona. The Partnership's three primary goals are to (1) restore natural ecosystem structures, function, and composition of ponderosa pine forests, (2) manage forest fuels to reduce the probability of catastrophic fire, and (3) research, test, develop, and demonstrate key ecological, economic, and social dimensions of restoration efforts.

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