CASPER, Wyo. — In light of the many forest fires burning throughout Wyoming and neighboring states, it was recently announced that $100 million will be invested in projects that support the USDA Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
This is part of a robust plan to protect the most vulnerable communities, critical infrastructure and natural resources from wildland fires. The Rocky Mountain Region will receive $10 million in funding for the following projects:
- The Northern Snowy Range Project will reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health in Wyoming’s northern Snowy Range. Treatments will include mechanical thinning, mastication and pile burning on State and Bureau of Land Management lands, as well as portions of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. This work will also provide economic benefits and supply firewood to the Northern Arapaho Tribe through the Wood for Life partnership.
- The Durango, Colorado Fireshed Wildfire Risk Reduction and Restoration Project will reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health through 3,000 acres of initial mechanical treatments that will enable 9,000 acres of future prescribed fire follow-up treatments in the San Juan National Forest. These efforts will take place in the Durango High-Risk Fireshed, which is at increased risk due to hazardous fuels buildup. The efforts to reduce this increased risk will be accomplished in collaboration with many partners ranging from non-governmental organizations to government and Tribal entities.
“We are using every tool and authority we have available to address the wildfire crisis, make communities safer, and protect natural resources throughout the Rocky Mountain Region,” regional forester Troy Heithecker said. “This funding will provide for continued mitigation efforts as we face historic forest health and wildfire threats.”
The Forest Service launched the Wildfire Crisis Strategy in 2022 to safeguard communities and natural resources by increasing hazardous fuel reduction projects to reduce wildfire risk. More than 1.5 million acres are included in these treatments.
This work will ultimately reduce wildfire risk for 550 communities, 2,500 miles of high-voltage power lines and 1,800 watersheds that supply drinking water to millions of people.
