Pima County Supervisors are taking steps to protect residents from the growing danger of wildfires on the heels of the recent devastation in Los Angeles.

Supervisors have given County Administrator Jan Lesher and staffers 90 days to prepare a draft wildfire mitigation plan with fiscal impacts, 30 days less than the agenda item originally allotted.

District 4 Supervisor Steve Christy said he opted to cut the time, with summer just around the corner and his constituents at high risk.

He reminded supervisors of a troubling timeline of wildfires in Pima County that included the Sawmill, Mulberry and Burrow fires, all in 2017; the Big Horn fire in 2020 and the Chimney and Gap fires in 2023.

“We have a situation that could be replicated here in Pima County as it was in the Los Angeles area,” Christy said. “We have similar topography, similar underbrush, similar environment, similar flora. This is troubling, and of course we not only have that potential, we've witnessed it as I just outlined.”

The plan will focus on enhancing vegetation management, evaluating high-risk areas, and supporting community efforts to mitigate fire risks.

A key component of the plan involves exploring additional tools and strategies to enhance the county’s brush management and clearing efforts. The board stressed the importance of conducting a feasibility analysis on modern best practices for removing overgrown and downed vegetation.

By leveraging advanced techniques and technology, the county aims to create a more efficient and effective approach to fire prevention.

Among the strategies discussed were the use of controlled burns, mechanical thinning, and targeted grazing to reduce fuel loads in wildfire-prone areas

Supervisors also considered the potential benefits of collaborating with federal and state agencies, as well as local fire departments, to align efforts with broader fire prevention initiatives.

Supervisors directed staff to conduct a thorough assessment of all county-owned properties, with a particular focus on road rights-of-way, parks, and conservation lands. 

The evaluation will identify areas that require regular or additional clearing to prevent the accumulation of combustible materials.

By prioritizing high-risk zones, the county can allocate resources more efficiently, ensuring that vulnerable areas receive the necessary maintenance to minimize wildfire risks. Additionally, the plan will consider ecological and environmental factors to balance fire prevention efforts with habitat conservation.

Newly elected District 5 Supervisor Jen Allen asked that the plan also evaluate the existing gaps in resources, saying “all fire districts are not created equal.”

“We also have similar areas within District 3 in which the fire districts are all volunteer and are greatly under-resourced and those are also the areas that have the smallest populations and probably the greatest risk of fire, given that they are rural,” Allen said. “So (we need) both an analysis of the threat and an  analysis of the existing resources and tie those together.”

Recognizing that wildfire mitigation is a shared responsibility, supervisors also explored ways to assist residents in clearing their own properties, with the discussion centering on offering direct assistance for brush and vegetation disposal, particularly in wildfire-prone areas.

One of the proposed approaches includes establishing collection sites or organizing community cleanup events where residents can drop off cleared vegetation. Another option would be to provide financial incentives or subsidies for property owners in remote regions, helping offset the costs associated with brush removal.

These initiatives aim to encourage proactive participation from the community, reducing fire hazards on private lands and creating a more fire-resilient landscape throughout the county.

Supervisors stressed the need for a sustainable and cost-effective strategy that balances immediate wildfire prevention with long-term resilience planning.

The draft report of the wildfire mitigation plan will provide the board with a clearer understanding of budgetary requirements and funding opportunities, including potential grants or state assistance. Once completed, the report will be reviewed, allowing for adjustments before implementation.

Samantha Callicutt is a Tucson Spotlight reporter and graduate student at the University of Arizona. Contact her at Scallicutt@arizona.edu.

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