Freeport McMoran

Site Employees, Foundation Support Wildland Fire Recovery Efforts

August 9, 2024

In the aftermath of a devastating July wildland fire that burned parts of the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and 2,100 acres in total, Freeport-McMoRan has mobilized to provide support for recovery efforts, ranging from in-kind donations to a monetary contribution.

The Watch Fire destroyed more than 20 homes and displaced at least 75 area residents.

“We have endured fires before, but the human scale of this one is particularly devastating,” San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler said in a recent news release. “Unfortunately, multiple families lost homes. It was horrible all the way around. I have received reports of families leaving with nothing, elders having no transportation, kids running with no shoes. We have never experienced anything like this.”

Recovery will take time and a lot of work, but those efforts are being bolstered with support from both the public and private sectors, including Freeport’s Miami, Morenci and Safford mines – which sit adjacent to the reservation – and the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation.

The Miami, Morenci and Safford sites answered the immediate call, providing items most needed by those impacted in real time. Groceries, water, personal hygiene items, pet supplies and meals for volunteers and community members were among more than $30,000 worth of in-kind donations facilitated by the company’s operations.

“The people who live on the San Carlos Reservation are our neighbors, our friends and our co-workers,” said Mark Albertsen, General Manager-Miami. “Once the severity of the fire became known, there was no doubt our team members would be there to help. I am grateful to all our employees who stepped up when the San Carlos Reservation needed help most.”

The Foundation, meanwhile, offered its support with a $500,000 contribution to help the larger recovery and rebuilding effort.

“The Watch Fire has had a significant impact on the San Carlos community, and our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected,” said Tracy Bame, President of the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and Director of Social Responsibility at Freeport. “We hope the contribution from the foundation can help the community begin to rebuild and recover.”

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