Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: Initial Landscape Investments

Since the Forest Service released its 10-year wildfire strategy, the agency and its partners have identified specific areas where fuels treatment projects will begin being implemented this year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced $131 million to begin implementation of these initial fuels treatments in support of the strategy, “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A Strategy for Protecting Communities and Improving Resilience in America’s Forests.” The initial investment in 10 landscapes across Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona will lead to about 208,000 acres of wildfire risk reduction treatments this year and will contribute significantly to increased resilience in the years to come.

The Forest Service will work with other federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior, and with Tribes, states, local communities, private landowners and partners to treat entire areas across all jurisdictions. The 10-Year Strategy calls for treating up to 20 million acres on national forests and grasslands and supporting treatment of up to 30 million acres of other federal, state, Tribal, private and family lands. 

Many high-risk firesheds remain to be treated beyond those captured in this initial round of landscapes. Alongside partners, the agency will be working to identify additional landscapes in the coming years. More information on these landscapes and projects as well as follow on announcements will be made available throughout the year.