The Coconino County Flood Control District Board of Directors has approved $7.6 million for forest restoration near Flagstaff and Williams.
The projects in the Upper Rio de Flag Watershed and on Bill Williams Mountain are designed to reduce wildfire risk in the areas considered high risk for catastrophic wildfire and subsequent flooding.
During the project’s initial phase, the U-S Forest Service will treat about 12,000 acres over the next three to five years in the Upper Rio, which amounts to just over half of the total watershed.
Studies have shown the impacts of a severe wildfire on the west side of the San Francisco Peaks could result in nearly $3 billion in economic damage to the greater Flagstaff area.
A fire on Bill Williams Mountain could cost the City of Williams up to $700 million.