By Jamie Martin
The USDA has announced a $100 million investment in 21 new wildfire risk reduction projects as part of its Wildfire Crisis Strategy. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shared that the projects will target high-risk areas across 14 states and 18 national forests.
This investment is part of a larger $3.2 billion initiative funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“These challenging wildfires show the critical need for forest health and wildfire prevention efforts,” Secretary Vilsack stated. The new projects will build on previous successes and continue safeguarding communities from the increasing threat of wildfires.
The USDA’s Collaborative Wildfire Risk Reduction Program, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, will focus on the Wildland-Urban Interface—areas where national forests meet homes and communities.
The program aims to build local capacity through partnerships with Tribes, communities, and other stakeholders to reduce wildfire risks and improve forest ecosystems.
Forest Service Chief Randy Moore emphasized the program’s design, which allows national forests and partners to quickly implement actions that mitigate wildfire risks and protect shared landscapes.
The USDA’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, launched in 2022, has already treated over 1.5 million acres in priority landscapes, significantly reducing wildfire risk for over 550 communities and thousands of miles of infrastructure. This latest funding will expand efforts to improve forest health and reduce the long-term risk of catastrophic wildfires.
The USDA continues to support wildland firefighters and invest in resilience, with $1.4 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $1.8 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act dedicated to wildfire risk reduction and forest health improvement across the country.
Photo Credit:usda
Categories: National