Resident engineering staff briefs board on update to Greenlee County Community Wildfire Protection Plan

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Jean Swanason, a part‑time engineering staffer, provided the Board of Supervisors with a progress update on an update to Greenlee County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

Swanason said the existing plan is nearly 20 years old and that the U.S. Forest Service had pressed for updates because having current wildland‑urban interface (WUI) mapping affects access to mitigation funding. She said that earlier state and federal lists had identified different communities as “most at risk” and that the update will place emphasis on the Upper Eagle Creek area and evacuation routes that Swanason said she believes are more vulnerable.

Swanason reported she presented a rough draft to community stakeholders on Aug. 23 and is working with Forest Service GIS staff and county contacts (Jojo referenced in the draft) to complete maps. She said retirements and staff changes — including the county fire management officer and the Morenci fire chief — have required re‑establishing contacts but that a draft has been circulated for confirmation of outstanding questions.

Swanason brought a single printed draft for supervisors to view; she said additional maps and finalized contact data are forthcoming. The board did not take action on the update during the meeting; the remarks were offered as public comment and informational update.