wildfires

President Donald Trump has told government agencies to consolidate their wildland firefighting into a single program despite warnings that it could be costly and increase the risk of catastrophic blazes.

Flagstaff leaders and environmental activists say the Trump administration’s first 100 days have left Arizonans “dangerously vulnerable” to wildfires and other effects of climate change.

The Trump administration rescinded a $1 million grant that funded three community centers in Flagstaff where residents could get help during wildfires, floods and other emergencies.

A Senate committee will hold a hearing Thursday on the proposed Fix Our Forests Act, which is aimed at reducing catastrophic wildfires. However, support is mixed.

For several hours Tuesday morning, residents near the Whispering Pines Ranch area west of Bellemont were prepared for a possible evacuation due to a nearby wildfire.

Crews from across northern Arizona and the Navajo Nation are among the nearly 900 firefighters assigned to the Eaton Fire burning outside Pasadena, California.

Since the beginning of November, Flagstaff hasn’t received much precipitation. That has forest officials worried about the risk of wildfire. Coconino National Forest Fire Planner Jesse Causer weighs in.

A recent report shows Arizona saw the highest increase in home insurance rates nationwide over the last five years — largely due to increased wildfire risk.

The Brigade Fire is estimated to be seven acres in size and began Saturday. Fire managers say it was caused by a lightning strike.

More than 200 volunteers helped plant pine seedlings in a fire scar east of the San Francisco Peaks. The area burned in the 2010 Schultz Fire, was replanted, and then burned again in the 2022 Pipeline and Tunnel fires.