Cleanup event helps protect Flagstaff communities from wildfire. But its future is unsure

This week, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is taking the reins of an annual cleanup event to help protect Flagstaff communities from wildfire.

This comes after the Bear Jaw Interagency Fire and Fuels Crew, a local fire management team, was disbanded.

Since 2017, the crew had annually removed an average of 21,000 cubic yards of debris — like pine needles — from Flagstaff homes and nearby surroundings. But due to what they said was “funding limitations and staffing shortages,” the crew was terminated.

But the cleanup event is continuing.

PJ Lingley with the state agency says the cleanup directly helps firefighters defend structures and lessens the safety risk.

“The number one risk to a home ignition in a wildfire situation is actually proximity to another structure. And so by protecting one’s home, it actually protects your neighbor’s home," Lingley said.

He said it’s unclear who will run the event in the future.

“As of right now, there is no plan going forward with the community. They’re still in talks about how to make this happen ongoing, whether it’s an annual or bi-annual event, or if it morphs into something else," Lingley said.

Crews and trucks will be collecting green bags and debris from the Kachina Village, Mountainaire, Pine Del and Munds Park areas.