Watching the Los Angeles-area wildfire news reports has been both captivating and horrifying to all of us in recent days. Like everyone else, I am constantly asking myself what I would do if this tragedy were happening to my family and me. I’m obsessively creating inventories in my mind of what items of value, belongings, and other material treasures that I would grab on my way out, madly trying to avoid such a disaster. And we know it can happen here, because it has. I am sure you remember the Sawmill and Mulberry Fires in our Southeast Region.

Adding further anxiety to the reality of wildfires is the very real concern of home fire insurance coverage cancellation or skyrocketing premiums. This matter is all too real and is happening to Southeast Region residents right now, and I am hearing the same from constituents throughout District 4.

Last year we heard that the Mt. Lemmon community was facing a crisis of available and affordable fire insurance, and we got to work.

We collaborated with my colleagues to bring the State of Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions before the Board of Supervisors for a presentation of her department’s role and ability to assist. Several District 4 residents attended and had a robust discussion with the director in our building lobby.

We also prevailed in adding fire insurance affordability in wildfire prone areas to the Pima County 2025 Legislative Agenda. My office was represented at the Arizona County Supervisors Association’s Policy Summit in October. The 15-county group considered a resolution submitted by Pima County, which read:

Pima County proposes that the Association adopt a resolution encouraging the Governor, the State Legislature, and DIFI to research and implement reforms, as well as support programs that ensure the availability and affordable homeowners’ insurance coverage in fire-affected areas.

Further, Pima County proposes supporting legislative action that accomplishes these goals.

I am pleased to report this resolution passed unanimously.

Recently, DIFI created the Resiliency & Mitigation Council. This body is investigating the availability and affordability of homeowners insurance in Arizona’s forested areas and wildland-urban interface areas, the impact that natural disasters have on the availability and affordability of homeowners insurance, and strategies that local communities may adopt to mitigate the risk of property loss.

In what we believe is recognition of our office’s efforts, Pima County is the only county government with a council member, and we are fortunate that representative is Deputy County Administrator Carmine DeBonis. The council first met in December, and will continue to meet monthly through September. It will then report its findings to the Governor and Legislature in December. My office is auditing the live-streamed Phoenix meetings and will be providing updates and as required and appropriate, activating grass root advocacy efforts.

There is a link on my Pima County webpage to the council’s meeting agendas, which includes a link to watch the meetings. There are also links there to a listing of insurance companies that offer home fire insurance, and other timely and related items.

Currently, there are five Green Valley-area Firewise certified communities, 2 in the Catalina Foothills, and the gold standard, the 20-year-old Mt. Lemmon Firewise community. We urge all residents, neighborhoods, and HOAs to learn more about, and participate in, the Firewise USA program. Rincon Valley Fire District Chief Jim Tucker has dedicated his efforts and personnel to promoting Firewise and our office website will provide you a link to that as well.

Firewise certification provides homeowners a proactive pathway to mitigate and help prevent wildfires. Your District 4 office encourages all Southeast Region residents to take part in protecting lives and properties from the ravages of wildfires.

Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy, District 4
33 N. Stone Avenue, Floor 11
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-724-8094
district4@pima.gov

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Steve Christy