The Bureau of Land Management used prescribed burns across many of its properties for habitat improvement and to reduce the risk of severe wildfires.
The federal government announced that $61 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will go to Arizona to prevent wildfires and rebuild from damage done in past fires.
The funds are part of an over $8 billion allotment for wildfire management and prevention, along with related restoration and infrastructure projects.
Heather Provencio of the U.S. Forest Service said Western states will have a better shot at getting ahead of wildfires with the funds.
"This is historic," Provencio said. "In my 30 year career, I've never seen an influx of money to this scale."
She said the funds will also mean more prescribed fires in the American West.
"Given how overgrown our forests are, a lot of work is needed to create that resilient state for fire to play its natural role in," Provencio said.
Arizona’s share of the money will also go towards watershed protection, reforestation and reduction of hazardous fuels on federal, state and tribal lands.
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