Nebraska Forest Service Wins Wildfire Defense Grant

By Scout Nelson

The Nebraska Forest Service, part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has received more than $24 million in Community Wildfire Defense Grants from the U.S. Forest Service.

These funds will support wildfire mitigation projects in Brown and Rock counties, some of the state’s most fire-prone areas.

The new projects will be carried out in partnership with landowners and county officials to protect communities, working lands, and natural resources from wildfire threats.

In Brown County, a $5.19 million mitigation crew project will establish priority fuel breaks to protect the Hidden Paradise community and Long Pine Recreation Area. The effort will also reduce woody debris that increases fire risk.

The Stop the Burn project in Brown County, funded at $9.8 million, will develop 2,500 acres of firebreaks to slow or stop wildfire spread. A forester and project leader will coordinate with landowners to design, implement, and maintain fire mitigation efforts for the next decade.

Similarly, the Stop the Burn project in Rock County, also funded at $9.8 million, will reduce fire risk in steep and remote areas. These projects will protect homes, ranches, and communities in the region.

“These investments are transformational for rural Nebraska,” said John Erixson, Nebraska state forester. “By working side by side with landowners and communities, we can reduce wildfire risk, protect livelihoods and strengthen the long-term health of our working lands.”

Local leaders emphasize the importance of proactive planning. Jessica Pozehl, deputy emergency manager for Brown and Rock counties, explained, “These funds will allow us to create fuel breaks, reduce fire risks and improve access in remote areas, which means our crews can respond faster and more safely when wildfires happen.”

These efforts also address challenges in Nebraska’s Sandhills, where limited firefighting resources and contractor shortages have slowed prevention work. By adding capacity and building partnerships, the Nebraska Forest Service is helping communities better prepare for wildfire risks.

The Community Wildfire Defense Grant program is a nationally competitive initiative designed to help at-risk communities improve emergency readiness, reduce hazards, and strengthen long-term resilience.

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