This project is focused on reducing the volume of hazardous fuels on state and private land adjacent to or directly impacting federal lands for the purpose of reducing the risk of wildland fire and…

North Dakota State University, operating through its North Dakota Forest Service division, received a $426,400 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Region 1 - Northern Region under the State & Private Forestry Hazardous Fuel Reduction Program (CFDA 10.697). Awarded on July 22, 2025, with completion targeted for June 30, 2030, this grant funds hazardous fuels reduction work on state and private lands in southwest North Dakota that directly impact federal lands.

The project delivers hazardous fuels reduction services focused on a ponderosa pine stand in southwest North Dakota, continuing efforts initiated under a complementary federal project. Grant funds support personnel costs for full-time and seasonal firefighters conducting fuel reduction work, travel expenses to and from the project site, and supplies necessary to implement hazardous fuels reduction activities. The initiative aims to reduce wildland fire risk and protect lives, property, and critical state and national infrastructure by treating hazardous fuels adjacent to or directly impacting federal lands.

This project is focused on reducing the volume of hazardous fuels on state and private land adjacent to or directly impacting federal lands for the purpose of reducing the risk of wildland fire and protecting communities, private property and critical infrastructure. The request for funding will cover cost to conduct hazardous fuels reduction work in southwest north dakota. This project will support past hazardous fuels projects and closely align with an ongoing federal hazardous fuels reduction project. Project will start august 2025 or upon award of funding. Proposed end date of award fiscal year 2029. This project continues an ongoing attempt to reduce hazardous fuels in a southwestern north dakota ponderosa pine stand. This project closely aligns with an ongoing federal project and is imperative to protecting lives, property and critical state and national infrastructure. Funding will cover salaries for full-time and seasonal firefighters to conduct the work, travel cost to and from project site, and necessary supplies to implement hazardous fuels reduction work.