Funding will be used to enhance critical wildfire preparedness and safety, initial attack capabilities and training

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 3 (Southwestern Region), awarded $640,000 to the New Mexico Energy Minerals & Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) under the State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program (CFDA 10.698) on September 10, 2025. This project grant supports enhanced wildfire preparedness and safety initiatives across New Mexico through September 2028, with a focus on strengthening initial attack capabilities and firefighter training.

The primary deliverables include the development of 25 Community Wildfire Protection Plans and investments in resources designed to decrease emergency response times. Additionally, the award funds comprehensive firefighter training, with a target of training 800 firefighters in wildfire suppression and mitigation techniques. These activities align with the program's emphasis on building state-level fire management infrastructure and enhancing community resilience in wildland-urban interface zones across non-federal forest and rural lands.

This will be accomplished through carrying out work on 25 community wildfire protection plans, investing in resources to decrease response time and training 800 firefighters.