USDA Forest Service invests over $26M in Arizona,
New Mexico and Pueblo de Cochiti to reduce wildfire risk to communities
Contact Information: SM.FS.SWpressoffice@usda.gov
ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Sept. 24, 2025 — Communities that have limited resources and face high risk from wildfire are getting additional support from the USDA Forest Service. In an announcement made today, Arizona, New Mexico, and the Pueblo de Cochiti will receive a combined $26.6 million in Community Wildfire Defense Grant awards, funding five projects.
These grants are part of more than $200 million being invested in 58 projects across 22 states and two tribes.
“These grants are about putting resources in the hands of those that know their lands and communities best, so that they can better protect their families, businesses, infrastructure and the future of our shared landscape,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “Keeping forests healthy, resilient and productive doesn’t come from the top down, it comes from us standing alongside the people and communities we serve, and supporting practical, sciencebased management that ensures the future of the forests as well as rural prosperity.”
In total, the program is investing $1 billion over five years to assist at-risk communities, including tribal communities, non-profit organizations, state forestry agencies and Alaska Native Corporations with planning for and mitigating wildfire risks on lands not managed by federal agencies.
“No single organization can tackle the severe fire conditions we face today. It is imperative that we work together to protect our forest and communities,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “For those communities that already have plans in place, these investments will enable immediate action to reduce wildfire risk.”
Funded proposals in Arizona, New Mexico and Pueblo de Cochiti are: (CWDG – Funded Proposals).
| Name | Project Description: | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cimarron Watershed Alliance, Inc. (NM) | Colfax Wildfire Risk Reduction Project This project will implement high-priority wildfire risk reduction treatments including fuels reduction, $10,000,000 evacuation route clearing, restoration focused forest thinning, and defensible space work on private lands in and around communities located in southwest Colfax County, New Mexico. | $10,000,000 |
| Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District (NM) | East Mountains Community Wildfire Protection Project This project will implement several high-priority fuels reduction initiatives including in and around WUI and high-risk communities. The intent of the project is to protect the east mountains from high-intensity fires, foster fire adapted ecosystems, and improve community and forest resiliency. | $7,233,574 |
| Taos Soil and Water Conservation District (NM) | Taos County Wildfire Risk Reduction Project The project will conduct 2,000 acres of defensible space and hazardous fuels treatments in high-priority Wildland-Urban Interface communities. Project work will utilize a combination of hand-thinning, mastication and mechanical removal. The Taos Soil and Water Conservation District will complete pre- and posttreatment monitoring, host public meetings to update community members about project status and educate about the intent of the treatments. The district will work with local, state, federal and tribal partners to ensure this work is coordinated with other planned and ongoing wildfire risk reduction projects. | $5,858,837 |
| Pueblo de Cochiti | Pueblo de Cochiti Fire Reduction through Fuel Management and Capacity Building Project The overarching goal of the project is to reduce wildfire fuels and build protective systems for the Pueblo de Cochiti community. The project will conduct a landscape analysis and procure equipment to create fire breaks and enhance buffer zones, remove fuel-type vegetation and conduct restoration with fire-resistant vegetation to create natural fire buffers. Project will also create community defensible space, enhance community capacity, create baseline information, maintenance protocols and conduct needed maintenance of fire breaks and buffers. | $3,265,040 |
| Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (AZ) | CWPP for Central AZ Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) Service Area Create a CWPP for mitigating wildfire risks across the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority service area. The CWPP will address the needs of approximately 110,000 people across 369 square miles in Yavapai County, including the communities of Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden, Dewey/Humboldt, Williamson Valley, and portions of unincorporated Yavapai County. | $249,920 |
The Forest Service will announce a fourth funding opportunity later this year.
More information about the funded proposals, as well as announcements about the grant program, is available on the Community Wildfire Defense Grants website.