The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously March 19 to extend the county's annual free brush drop-off ("slash") program by two weeks, moving the end date to June 15, 2025.

The extension was proposed as a public-safety measure after supervisors and staff described lingering drought conditions despite recent rain and snow. The board also directed staff to increase public information and outreach for the program.

Why it matters: County officials said wildfire risk remains high in many unincorporated areas and that the free drop-off, which allows residents to dispose of vegetative debris at county transfer stations, reduces fuel that could feed wildfires.

What the board approved and why: The program normally runs April 1 through June 1. Supervisors proposed and approved an additional two-week extension through June 15 to give residents more time to complete defensible-space work around homes. County public-works staff said the extension is intended to give residents extra time during a year when officials worry fuel moisture and runoff patterns leave vegetation drier than usual.

Roger McCormick, director of Yavapai County Public Works, told the board the program is open to anyone (including residents of municipalities located inside the county) and emphasized the program's limits: "This is for brush only. Don't mix in trash. Don't throw in a couch. This is just for brush." McCormick said debris may be taken to any county transfer station.

Supervisors and staff also asked county communications to ramp up publicity. One supervisor urged a broad public-relations push, saying the county should get "a front page in every newspaper in Yavapai County" to promote the program.

The board recorded a unanimous vote. The clerk recorded "yes" votes from Vice Chair Brooks Compton, Supervisor (name on record: yes), and Chair John Mallory. The motion language approved by the board extended the free drop-off program by two weeks to run through 06/15/2025 and authorized staff to increase outreach and PR for the program.

Ending: County public-works staff said the program is recurring; residents with questions about accepted material or site locations can contact Yavapai County Public Works or view county transfer station information online.