Help for Wallow Fire, flood survivors

Long-term Recovery Committee formed to help Wallow Fire, flood survivors recover

Committee unites impacted communities to provide for survivor needs

PHOENIX—Months after returning to areas evacuated by the Wallow Fire, some White Mountain residents are still feeling the effects of the historic blaze.

The Wallow Fire burned over 538,000 acres across multiple jurisdictions, damaged and destroyed property, and has created prolonged hardships for some Apache County residents—this is where a Long-Term Recovery Committee comes into play.

Apache County and the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) have co-sponsored the formation of a Long-Term Recovery Committee to resolve unmet needs caused by the Wallow Fire and post-fire flooding, and empower impacted communities to manage their local recovery.

The Long-Term Recovery Committee unites local organizations, businesses, and faith-based groups with Arizona Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Arizona VOAD) member agencies with the aim of pooling resources and expertise in the service of disaster survivors with needs not covered by insurance or government programs.

"An unmet need is not a pre-disaster condition or an ongoing social issue; rather, it is a need resulting from a disaster. Typical recovery needs include the loss of housing, a vehicle or a household appliance," explained ADEM Individual Assistance Program Manager Dan Porth. "The Individual Assistance Service Center, working with Arizona VOAD partners in Apache County, has thus far provided some Wallow Fire survivors with rental assistance, replacement appliances and food boxes."

Individuals with unmet needs caused by the Wallow Fire or post-fire flooding are encouraged to call Apache County at 928-337-7630. Details about individual assistance cases, including the identities of applicants, are kept confidential. Case management services are being provided by the ADEM Recovery Section, Individual Assistance.