PORTLAND, OR. – The USDA Forest Service has awarded $57 million in Community Wildfire Defense grants to support 10 wildfire-mitigation projects across Oregon and Washington, according to a Sept. 24 announcement. The funding is intended to help high-risk, resource-limited communities strengthen wildfire preparedness and reduce fuels on non-federal lands.
The regional investment is part of a nationwide package exceeding $200 million for 58 projects in 22 states and two tribes. The Community Wildfire Defense Grant program is slated to invest $1 billion over five years.
“These grants are about putting resources in the hands of those that know their lands and communities best,” said Agriculture Secretary Rollins. “Keeping forests healthy, resilient and productive doesn’t come from the top down. It comes from us standing alongside the people and communities we serve.”
Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz added that collaboration remains critical. “No single organization can tackle the severe fire conditions we face today,” he said. “For those communities that already have plans in place, these investments will enable immediate action to reduce wildfire risk.”
Oregon Projects
- Deschutes County – $3.4 million
La Pine Wildfire Mitigation Project: Fuel reduction, evacuation route improvements, and community preparedness initiatives. - Douglas County Public Works – $6.1 million
Hazardous fuel reductions along 117.5 miles of roads, hazard-tree removal, and vegetation-management equipment purchases. - Oregon Department of Forestry – $2.36 million
Cave Junction–Takilma–Illinois Valley project: Thinning ladder fuels, prescribed burns, landowner training, and defensible-space improvements across more than 800 acres. - Oregon Department of Forestry – $2.62 million
South Lane County hazard-reduction work and community wildfire-awareness outreach. - Sweet Home Fire & Ambulance District – $8.7 million
Wildfire Ready Linn County: Defensible-space work, strategic fuels management, and support for at-risk communities. - Wallowa County Water & Soil Conservation District – $5.25 million
Fuel-treatment work across 2,800 acres, prescribed fire on 350 acres, installation of 10 dry hydrants, and Firewise education events.
Washington Projects
- Columbia Land Trust – $9.67 million
Hazard-fuel reduction on 4,894 acres of private land within the Yakama Indian Reservation. - Okanogan County Electric Cooperative – $4.21 million
Right-of-way vegetation management along 180 miles of power lines, hazard-tree removal, and landowner support for planting fire-resistant species. - Spokane Conservation District – $9.26 million
Firewise outreach and defensible-space treatments across 3,000 acres. - Spokane Valley Fire Department – $5.5 million
Public-education efforts, wildfire-mitigation treatments, and capacity-building in vulnerable neighborhoods.
More information on funded projects is available on the Forest Service website.
