APS’s program employs fire mitigation specialists with experience serving on wildland hot shot crews, degreed foresters, certified arborists with tree risk assessment knowledge, and even meteorologists who track extreme weather risks.
Carl Nelson, APS Supervisor of Forestry, notes that the utility company maintains more than 38,000 miles of power lines throughout the state. He said APS takes great care to manage parts of the grid that run through forested terrain and work with customers and communities to develop programs on prevention and emergency preparedness.
“Our team of degreed foresters and fire experts monitor forest health,” he said. “They can identify when trees are stressed by drought, show signs of insect infestation, or when they are in the path of a potential wildfire.”
Meanwhile, The Nature Conservancy recently reported that the Four Forests Restoration Initiative, or 4FRI, supported more than 1,000 full- and part-time jobs in northern Arizona in 2023 and resulted in an economic impact of almost $217 million between labor costs, business to business purchases in the supply chain, and the ripple effect of employees spending their wages in the local economy.
Many of the jobs supported by the 4FRI project include commercial logging, sawmills, truck transportation and wood product manufacturing, according to the report. To view the report summary from The Nature Conservancy, click here.
By investing in wildfire prevention and forest health, these organizations and others help create jobs, support local businesses, and ensure our region remains a safe and thriving place. As we continue to navigate how to reduce the threat of wildfire, the partnerships between public, private and nonprofit entities will be key to preserving both our natural landscapes and our economic well-being for generations to come.
