Flood Risk for Area Burned by San Juan Fire

Federal officials have approved funds to help against the risk of flooding in wildfire-scarred terrain in Arizona’s eastern White Mountains.

The U.S. Forest Service announced this week that a request for funding for emergency stabilization has been granted for the area affected by the San Juan Fire.

Officials say the wildfire, which started June 26, burned nearly 11 square miles in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, about 18 miles southeast of Show Low.

A team assigned to assess the charred area found slopes within the burned area now make surrounding communities vulnerable to flash floods.

The team of specialists will work with several county and federal agencies to reduce the risk caused by future storms and rain.

The plan will include temporarily installing gates while clearing hazardous trees and treating roads.