Performance goals grand canyon national park (grca) hosts a robust prescribed fire program that encompasses not only the north and south rims of the park, but includes walnut canyon (waca), wupatki,…

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a $400,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Highlands Fire District to support prescribed fire, ecological restoration, and hazardous fuels reduction projects across Grand Canyon National Park and several national monuments in northern Arizona. The funding is provided through the NPS Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education program (CFDA 15.954), which supports projects complementary to NPS program efforts in natural and cultural resource conservation and protection.

Under this agreement, the Highlands Fire District will mobilize qualified personnel and equipment to implement the planned program of work, including the ability to respond within 2-4 hours of notification. The district's efforts will be aimed at decreasing the occurrence and severity of catastrophic wildfires, increasing the safety of firefighters and the public, and promoting more resilient and diverse ecosystems within the federal lands. The award period runs from August 15, 2023 through April 30, 2028.

Performance goals grand canyon national park (grca) hosts a robust prescribed fire program that encompasses not only the north and south rims of the park, but includes walnut canyon (waca), wupatki, (wupa), sunset crater (sucr), tuzigoot (tuzi), and montezumas castle (moca) national monuments located northern arizona. Priority fuels reduction and ecological restoration work occurs in all listed locations and assistance from qualified cooperators will be necessary to meet the planned program of work.project objectives federal funding will be allocated for prescribed fire support, ecological restoration, and hazardous fuels reduction projects, which will be necessary to meet the programmatic goals of the national park service (NPS). The recipient will contribute to successful implementation of prescribed fire and fuels work including the ability to mobilize and arrive at the project site within 2-4 hours of notification, capable firefighting equipment, and personnel possessing national wildfire coordinating group (nwcg) qualifications recognized within the wildland fire discipline. Beneficiaries - the principal purpose of the financial assistance is to support work that will decrease the occurrence and severity of catastrophic wildfire that may threaten visitor and employee safety. By conducting prescribed fire, ecological restoration, and thinning activities within park units the safety of our firefighters, the public, sensitive resources, and critical infrastructure will increase. Additionally, within this agreement, public land this has been entrusted to the national park service will receive the benefits of returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystems. A more resilient and diverse ecosystem will be promoted for future generations of park visitors.