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Board adopts county hazard-mitigation plan as emergency teams update on Rock Canyon and Pocket fires
Summary
The board unanimously adopted the 2026 Coconino County multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and authorized grant match and emergency spending; emergency management updated the board that Rock Canyon was roughly 75% contained and the Pocket Fire remained active with difficult terrain, and staff outlined evacuation and re-entry procedures.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors voted June 23 to adopt the county'9s 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, a five-year update staff said will preserve eligibility for federal mitigation grants and guide priorities such as fuel reduction, flood mitigation and public outreach.
Emergency Management Director Tim Carter briefed the board on the plan'9s yearlong development with municipalities and Northern Arizona University and highlighted maps and a risk-ranking process that placed wildfire, flooding and drought among the highest hazards. Carter said the plan helps the county qualify for federal reimbursement programs and provides a structure to prioritize projects that reduce future losses.
Carter also gave the board an operational update on two active incidents. He reported the Rock Canyon Fire at about 4,823 acres and roughly 75% contained with an estimated cost of about $10 million, largely on BLM and Kaibab National Forest lands. By contrast the Pocket Fire near Oak Creek Canyon had burned approximately 341 acres and was 0% contained at the briefing; Carter stressed that steep canyon terrain limited ground access and that re-entry for residents was being managed through sheriff'9s checkpoints with proof of address.
Following questions about local match for mitigation grants and community outreach, the board approved related budget adjustments (including a $25,000 allocation for Pocket Fire response expenses) and adopted Resolution 2026-34 to locally adopt the Hazard Mitigation Plan so the county can proceed with state and FEMA review and secure federal mitigation funding.
Board members repeatedly thanked first responders, county staff and partner agencies for evacuation management, sheltering, and community coordination.
