PROJECT SUMMARYCompound events due to climate change combined with resource extraction and socialjustice are exacerbating exiting vulnerabilities and creating new ones. The Telegraph-Mescal fires in Gila County Arizona in 2021 consumed 180757 acres and 37% of the soil burnseverity was moderate to high. These fires occurred in a region with 13 different resourceextraction activities including three copper mines. Shortly after the fires the area had a recordmonsoon season with over 14 inches of rainfall. Most of the mine waste in the area are un-rehabilitated leaving them prone to mechanical dispersion which may increase their mobility andbioavailability. Areas that have been burned by wildfires are susceptible to flash flooding and theTown of Miami and City of Globe were severely impacted. Fire events are able to alter thephysical chemical and biogeochemical properties of the soil and surface materials and releaseand (re)mobilize metal(loid)s and radioactive materials and produce polycyclic aromatichydrocarbons (PAHs) that can impact public health. Over 3000 metric tons of potentiallycontaminated sediment accumulated on public roads and sidewalks in Miami and some residentsreported that 12 inches of sediment settled in their yards and in some cases entered their homes.The extent of toxic contamination of the soil and dust in the Miami/Globe areas after thefire and flooding have not been assessed. It is critical to determine the extent of post-wildfiredebris flows and erosion from mine tailings and whether these geohazards are presentingexposure pathways to metal(loid)s radioactive materials and PAHs in neighboring ruralmedically underserved environmental justice (EJ) communities. To do this we will: (1) surveyfamilies to identify the impacted areas and determine individual- and community-levelvulnerabilities and resiliencies (2) build human capacity through empowerment education andcommunity science (3) characterize contaminants released during wildfires in soil and settleddust and (4) use an equity-centered community design approach to report all findings and provideimmediate intervention and prevention strategies. EJ communities refers to areas affected bydisproportionate exposure to environmental hazards and increased vulnerability to those hazards.The compound event described has significantly impacted these rural communities that aresurrounded by active/legacy mines and smelter operations further exacerbating the possibleexposure to contaminants increasing their risk and exploiting the structural inequalities andenvironmental health disparities in these areas.