Bipartisan infrastructure law community wildfire defense grant comprehensive wildfire protection plan update and modernization

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) was awarded a $120,501 Project Grant on August 15, 2024 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Community Wildfire Defense Grant program (CFDA 10.720). The grant funding will support the development and implementation of a comprehensive Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) update and modernization project for the state of Montana. Key activities to be delivered under this grant include conducting wildfire risk assessments, developing hazardous fuel reduction strategies, and improving community wildfire response capabilities across at-risk areas in Montana. As a sub-award under this grant, Sanders County will receive $CWD25001 to update and modernize the CWPP for Sanders County. This federal grant program aims to help communities mitigate wildfire risks and establish fire-adapted communities through comprehensive planning and landscape-level mitigation efforts.