COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Applications are open for Texas A&M Forest Service’s Mechanical Fuel Reduction and Prescribed Fire grants, offering financial support to private landowners and municipalities taking action to reduce wildfire risk.
Applications will be accepted through July 14.
The reimbursement program supports projects that reduce hazardous vegetation and create defensible space around homes and infrastructure.
“Reducing hazardous, dense vegetation on private property plays an important role in protecting communities from wildfire,” said Victoria Wenkman, Texas A&M Forest Service Community Resilience Program Specialist.
Mechanical Fuel Reduction Grant
Landowners and municipalities in 39 Central Texas counties are eligible for the Mechanical Fuel Reduction grant. The grant aims to reduce the risk of home loss to wildfire in Central Texas by using fuel reduction practices including hand-cut and mulching treatments.
Eligible applicants can receive up to $750 per acre for hand-cutting treatments, up to $2,000 per acre for heavy equipment treatment and up to $1,500 for a combination of these treatments.
Prescribed Fire Grants
Several grant opportunities are available for private landowners and municipalities to help implement prescribed burning to reduce hazardous fuel loads and protect communities across the state.
Prescribed burning is a land management tool used to reduce potential fuel for wildfires and help promote ecosystem restoration. Reimbursement rates for prescribed fire grants range from $22.50 to $30 per acre. All require the use of a certified and insured prescribed burn manager.
A webinar covering the grants, application process and more will be hosted on June 2. Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/eb5eb3b8-e6de-4fb9-a08a-96432cbfb609@2c2bb68d-f234-4baa-a640-ede7b35d9620.
For additional information about the Mechanical Fuel Reduction grant, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/grants-financial-assistance/landowner-grants/fire-mitigation-grants/
For additional information about the Prescribed Fire grants, visit http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/grants-financial-assistance/landowner-grants/prescribed-fire-grants/.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Texas A&M Forest Service Contacts:
Mechanical Fuels Grant Program, mfrgrant@tfs.tamu.edu
Prescribed Fire Grant Program, rxfiregrant@tfs.tamu.edu
Communications Office, 979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu
