As you know, we heard your concerns and this year your District 4 office led initiatives to address both the increasing danger of wildfires and the cost and availability of homeowners insurance. We are proud to report that our request to create a Pima County Wildfire Danger Mitigation Plan (WDMP) has “made progress in advancing (the WDMP) completing several critical tasks that strengthen wildfire prevention, mitigation and response capacity” per a recent memo from County Administrator Jan Lesher.
In parallel, the process to update Pima County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is underway, with an initial meeting taking place in August, and anticipated completion in June 2026. Authorized by the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, a signed and approved CWPP can influence federal and state funding for hazardous fuel reduction projects.
The CWPP effort will create an updated Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) map, which will replace the one currently in use. Work is progressing with both Pima County’s Office of Emergency Management and Information Technology Department collaborating on a pre-developed evacuation zone map. This will define geospatial zones to facilitate efficient evacuations during wildfire and other hazards.
Additional resources to focus on defensible space in high priority areas that are in discovery include:
• Piloting a defensible space voucher program would encourage residents in high or moderate wildfire risk zones to create defensible space by piloting a program for those in need, for waived dump fees applications – up to the budget allocated – for the disposal of eligible brush and vegetation at local landfills and transfer stations;
• Expanding a brush and bulky removal initiative that could support vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, individuals with functional limitations, and limited financial means, by providing direct assistance with vegetation removal, brush trimming, and debris disposal;
• Creating a Community Chipping Program that could offer mulching or chipping services at pre-designated community drop-off sites for residents in WUI areas.
The WDMP will be in place as the CWPP takes shape, and the intent is to braid the measures into the CWPP for ongoing work on wildfire prevention and response.
Along with the WDMP, our office spurred efforts to address the ever-growing problem of homeowner insurance availability and rising premium costs legislatively.
During the Arizona Legislature’s 2025 session, some 18 bills were introduced to address these top of mind concerns, and when the body adjourned sine die, precisely one was signed into law, and that law limits the liability of utility caused wildfires.
Recently, the Board of Supervisors passed its 2026 legislative agenda, our lobbyist’s to-do-list for the next session. The Board unanimously approved the introduction of the following measures:
• Direct the continued and adequate funding of the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, critical to the emergency response to floods and wildfire in Pima and many other counties.
• Address inadequate or unfair insurance policies and practices for homeowners who are potentially at risk of wildfire with the imposition of stricter guidelines.
• Encourage legislation that mandates the use of wildfire risk modeling for properties in smaller cities, towns and communities in wildland-urban interface areas, and requiring insurers to offer possible rate reductions reflecting mitigation efforts like Firewise USA designations.
• Support any other amendment to State Statutes regarding fire insurance that modifies the grounds for policy cancellation and nonrenewal, or significant rate increases, by limiting reasons an insurer can refuse to continue coverage.
While we await the 2026 legislative session, we urge neighborhoods and HOAs to engage your Rincon Valley Fire District and become certified Firewise USA.
With all hands on deck, our community’s efforts combined with County measures will make a real difference in mitigating wildfire danger in the Southeast Region we all cherish.
Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy, District 4
33 N. Stone Avenue, Floor 11
Tucson, AZ 85701
520-724-8094
district4@pima.gov
