Following Sinema & Kelly Urging, Arizona Receiving $12.8 Million for Wildfire Disaster Recovery

Press Release

Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will release $12.8 million in disaster funds for the Museum Fire Flood, Telegraph Fire, and Bush Fire Flooding after both Senators pressed the administration for wildfire relief.

"We're glad the administration agreed to our request and released federal disaster funding, providing much-needed relief for Arizona communities still experiencing the impacts of wildfires," said Sinema.

"This funding will help Arizona recover from some of the largest and most destructive wildfires in recent history," said Senator Mark Kelly. "Years and months after these fires, communities near Globe, Miami, Flagstaff, and Saguaro Lake still face serious public safety risks from post-fire flooding that endangers ranchers, tribal communities, and others who utilize and care for our land. I will continue to advocate for more federal resources to help protect Arizona from wildfires."

In October, Sinema and Kelly urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release Emergency Watershed Protection Program funds as quickly and at the highest possible level for Arizona. Both Senators sent this letter following Congress' passage of the Continued Resolution which included $275 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.

In their letter, they underscored the continued threat Arizona continues to face with major fire disasters year after year, the effects of which could continue to be felt years down the line. Sinema and Kelly note the 2019 Museum fire outside of Flagstaff in Coconino County, and this past summer's monsoon season that resulted in extreme flooding from the burn scar that imperiled lives, property, and the area's watershed.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law, led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly invests $8.25 billion to protect communities against wildfires, support wildfire recovery efforts, and reduce hazardous fuels on federal, state, and tribal lands.

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