The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a major investment aimed at reducing wildfire risk in vulnerable communities. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins confirmed that the USDA Forest Service will allocate $200 million to support 58 projects through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program.
The funding, mandated by Congress, is designed to help at-risk communities prepare for and mitigate wildfire threats. The selected projects span 22 states and two tribal nations, focusing on updating community wildfire protection plans and removing hazardous vegetation that can fuel destructive fires.
“These grants are about putting real resources directly in the hands of the people who know their lands and communities best,” said Secretary Rollins. “By empowering them, we are protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure while securing the future of our great American landscape.”
Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting that no single organization can tackle wildfire threats alone. “For those communities that already have plans in place, these investments will enable immediate, collaborative action to reduce wildfire risk,” Schultz said.
The Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program is part of a broader $1 billion initiative spread over five years. It supports tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, state forestry agencies, and Alaska Native Corporations in managing wildfire risks on non-federal lands.
The Forest Service plans to announce a fourth round of funding later this year.
While the USDA’s full list of funded projects hasn’t been publicly detailed by region yet, the Texas A&M Forest Service confirms that local governments, nonprofits, and tribal organizations in Central Texas are eligible and actively participating in the program. Here’s what we know so far:
Types of Projects Likely Funded in Central Texas
- Development or updates to Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). These plans guide local response strategies and vegetation management.
- Fuel reduction and vegetation clearing near vulnerable communities. Especially in wildland-urban interface zones around the Hill Country and outskirts of Austin and San Antonio.
- Education and outreach initiatives, including programs to inform residents about fire-adapted landscaping, evacuation routes, and home hardening techniques.
- Collaborative planning with fire departments and emergency managers focused on improving response coordination and resource sharing.
Potentially Impacted Counties
While specific projects are pending public release, counties with high wildfire hazard potential and recent disaster impacts, such as Llano, Burnet, Bastrop, Hays, and Comal, are strong candidates for funding. These areas have seen increased wildfire activity and meet the USDA’s priority criteria.
The grant program aligns with the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, which promotes resilient landscapes, fire-adapted communities, and effective wildfire response. Proposals are selected through a competitive process involving state and tribal representatives, with priority given to low-income communities facing high wildfire risk or recent disaster impacts.
Additional details and updates on the program are available on the Community Wildfire Defense Grants website.
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