The purpose of the non-federal lands hazard mitigation funds in montana is to reduce the potential for catastrophic wildfire to at least 250 acres of private, state, and local lands within…

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R1-Northern Region awarded the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation $770,800 under the State & Private Forestry Hazardous Fuel Reduction Program (CFDA 10.697) on June 23, 2026, to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk on at least 250 acres of private, state, and local lands within watersheds containing federal lands in Montana.

The recipient will implement hazard mitigation treatments on prioritized non-federal lands to benefit National Forest System resources, increase wildfire suppression success, and improve response times by reducing hazardous fuels along roadside ingress and egress routes. Treatment priorities follow Montana's 2020 Forest Action Plan and Statewide Wildfire Risk Assessment, which identify strategic locations offering maximum benefit to resources at risk. Performance extends from June 23, 2026 through May 31, 2031, with all work occurring in Montana. The award is structured as a Project Grant, an assistance type supporting discrete time-limited activities rather than ongoing operations.

The purpose of the non-federal lands hazard mitigation funds in montana is to reduce the potential for catastrophic wildfire to at least 250 acres of private, state, and local lands within watersheds that contain federal lands. In 2020, montana s forest action plan and statewide montana wildfire risk assessment were completed. These documents guide the non-federal lands hazard mitigation project area delivery in montana by prioritizing treatment in strategic locations that provide the maximum benefit to the resources at risk. Implementing hazard mitigation treatment on prioritized private, state, and local land provides benefits to federal national forest system lands, increasing the success of wildfire suppression efforts and response times after hazardous fuels along roadside ingress and egress routes are reduced.