Senator heard from Coconino County officials about fire mitigation and recovery efforts
FLAGSTAFF – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema visited Coconino County to see firsthand the damage caused by the Tunnel Fire – which burned nearly 20,000 acres northeast of Flagstaff – and receive a briefing from the U.S. Forest Service on the region’s mitigation and recovery efforts.
Sinema shared with Coconino County officials how the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law, which she co-authored and helped pass into law, authorizes a once-in-a-generation $8.25 billion for wildfire management, resiliency, restoration, and natural resources-related infrastructure.
“Our tour provided a sobering look at the impact wildfires have on Arizona communities, homes, and families, and I’m thankful for the first responders who help communities like Flagstaff recover from such disasters. I’ll continue working with the Forest Service to fully explore the causes of this fire, and I remain committed to implementing the historic funds that will help prevent and lessen the impact of future fires,” said Sinema.
In Flagstaff, Sinema toured the Timberline neighborhood where 31 homes were lost and many more properties suffered damage from the Tunnel Fire.
Sinema was joined by Nick Glidden (Acting Flagstaff District Ranger, U.S. Forest Service), True Brown (Flagstaff District Fire Management Officer, U.S. Forest Service) Supervisor Patrice Horstman (Coconino County District 1 Chair), Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez (Coconino County District 2 Vice Chair), Trey Williams (Coconino County Public Affairs Director), Ray Garcia (Coconino County Public Works Director), Chief Mark Gaillard (Flagstaff Fire Department), Paul Oltrogge (Flagstaff Fire Department).
Click HERE to learn more about how the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law impacts wildfire mitigation.