Coconino County officials warn of unusually dry winter, expand preparedness as APS readies broader PSPS use

Coconino County emergency management and partner agencies told the Board of Supervisors on an emergency briefing that Northern Arizona’s unusually dry winter and near‑record low snowpack increase the risk of an extended, significant wildfire season and that preparations — including an expanded Arizona Public Service (APS) public safety power shutoff (PSPS) program — are under way.

The county’s interim emergency management director, Tim Carter, said the briefing was meant to both summarize the drought‑and‑fire outlook and explain what agencies and residents can do. “This is truly a whole‑community effort, for wildfire preparedness,” Carter said.

National Weather Service Flagstaff meteorologist Brian Klamowski and warning‑coordination meteorologist Megan Taylor presented data showing severe drought across much of Coconino County and below‑average snowpack in the high country. Taylor said Flagstaff has received 11.2 inches of snowfall so far this season versus a typical total of more than 60 inches, and that many mountain SNOTEL sites are reporting snow‑water equivalent well below normal. “If the dry conditions persist…