State forester warns of funding shortfall for wildfire suppression in Arizona

• State forester warns of wildfire suppression funding shortage • Wildfire suppression costs rise due to longer incidents and aircraft use • A recent poll shows 82% of voters are worried about recent wildfires

The state forester has warned the governor and state lawmakers that a special legislative session could be needed to address a lack of funds for wildfire suppression activities.

The Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s budget request for the next fiscal year includes a permanent funding solution for wildland fire suppression. Department officials say annual costs to fight wildfires on state-owned property have risen substantially in recent years and wildfire events can take up to five years to fully close out suppression costs.

“The request for additional, permanent fu