Protect communities from wildfires, by funding hazardous fuels reduction activities that are adjacent to national forest lands

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, Region 3 Southwestern Region, awarded $750,000 to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (FOA) under the State & Private Forestry Hazardous Fuel Reduction Program (CFDA 10.697) on August 27, 2025, to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk to Arizona communities. The award funds hazardous fuels reduction activities on non-federal lands adjacent to the Tonto National Forest, with projects treating approximately 200 acres. Work is scheduled for completion by August 15, 2030. Project activities include mechanical thinning, vegetation management, and landscape restoration activities identified through community wildfire protection plans, with support for project management and implementation.

FOA issued sub-awards to two local government partners under the Healthy Forest Initiative Grant Program: the City of Scottsdale (Finance & Accounting Division) on November 5, 2025, and Maricopa County Parks & Recreation on January 5, 2026. These sub-awards enable direct engagement with local jurisdictions in the wildland-urban interface to implement fuel reduction treatments that complement federal land management on adjacent National Forest System lands and enhance community wildfire resilience.

Fuels projects are identified in community wildfire protection plans. This grant will support project management and selected projects will occur adjacent to the tonto national forest, treating 200 acres.