Arizona Governor, fire agencies ask for help to prevent wildfires this year fox10phoenix.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fox10phoenix.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Staring down the barrel of a dangerous fire season, the Arizona Legislature approved a $24 million boost in state funding to protect forested communities through thinning projects.
The new initiative will fund a tenfold increase in state brush-clearing grants and put perhaps 700 prison inmates to work clearing brush.
âGuarding against wildfires is an important issue that requires a new strategy for the state,â said Gov. Doug Ducey. âThat new strategy of taking additional steps to reduce wildfire risk to Arizona communities is reflected in the Arizona Healthy Forest Initiative.â
The press release announcing the new program noted that the fire season has already effectively started in Arizona, with a wind-driven, 300-acre blaze in the Tonto Basin forcing the evacuation of some 140 people before crews brought it under control last week.
Gov. Doug Ducey last week signed a bill into law that’ll employ hundreds more state inmates for wildfire mitigation work. Officials hope it’ll help reduce
News Release
February 2, 2021
PHOENIX Governor Doug Ducey is applauding a comprehensive effort by state lawmakers aimed at fighting the threat of wildfires in Arizona while expanding opportunities for low-risk inmates in the state’s correctional facilities.
Legislation introduced in the House and Senate align with Governor Ducey’s Arizona Healthy Forest Initiative, a $23.8 million multi-agency proposal that builds on proven methods to protect communities from the fires that rage across thousands of acres each year. Wildfires pose a serious threat to Arizona communities every year,” said Governor Ducey. “Our heroic and selfless firefighters put their lives on the line year after year to protect people, pets and property. Our proactive Arizona Healthy Forest Initiative is a major shift in our strategy to reduce wildfire risk and protect our communities.”
Gov. Ducey applauds lawmakers for supporting Arizona health forest initiative Source: (Flickr) (Source: Deborah Lee Soltesz) By KOLD News 13 Staff | February 2, 2021 at 11:38 AM MST - Updated February 2 at 11:38 AM
TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - Governor Doug Ducey is praising the efforts of state lawmakers for fighting the threat of wildfires in Arizona while expanding opportunities for low-risk inmates in the state’s correctional facilities.
Ducey says House and Senate legislation matches his $23.8 million multi-agency proposals to build on proven methods that protect communities from the fires that rage across thousands of acres each year.
“Our heroic and selfless firefighters put their lives on the line year after year to protect people, pets and property,” Gov. Ducey said. “Our proactive Arizona Healthy Forest Initiative is a major shift in our strategy to reduce wildfire risk and protect our communities.”