In a strategic effort to strengthen defenses against the ongoing threat of wildfires in rural Arizona, State Representative Walt Blackman achieved success as three of his wildfire mitigation bills advanced through a key legislative step. The bills—HB2395, HB2398, and HB2400—received approval from the House Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs, aiming to enhance public safety for communities in the White Mountains, according to the Arizona House of Representatives.
The legislative package comes with a $19 million pledge aimed at wildfire suppression, contingency planning, and preventive measures that target some of the state's most vulnerable areas, including Taylor-Snowflake, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, and Payson. This funding boost is intended to empower the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) to intensify its fire management strategies, and to arm local fire departments with the resources necessary to tackle blazes before they escalate into full-blown disasters.
Blackman’s comments emphasize the importance of these measures in addressing the growing wildfire risks, which have been worsened by a prolonged drought and what he refers to as "federal mismanagement" of forests, according to the news release. His legislation is part of the 2025 House Majority Plan, which focuses on public safety. The plan highlights the need for preventive measures, efficient forest management, and the removal of bureaucratic delays that could affect the timely allocation of resources to firefighting teams.
Governor Hobbs' proposed budget shows no allocated funds for hazardous vegetation removal or forest thinning, raising concerns about the safety of rural communities. In response, Blackman stated, "The people of Arizona sent us here to lead, not sit on the sidelines," emphasizing a commitment to active leadership and involvement, in a statement obtained by the Arizona House of Representatives.
As these bills advance to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration, rural communities in Arizona are looking to see how these legislative actions may provide protections against the ongoing threat of wildfires.
