The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service announces a $25 million funding opportunity to reduce wildfire risk and support local businesses. The hazardous fuels transportation assistance program aims to remove hazardous fuels from national forests, expanding market opportunities and supporting local jobs. More details can be found on the Forest Service website.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated, "The timber and wood products industries help support healthy and sustainable forests. Thanks to historic funding from the Biden-Harris Administration, this funding opportunity empowers local communities to create and support jobs while helping the USDA Forest Service implement sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk and support the Wildfire Crisis Strategy."

Removing hazardous fuels, which are typically woody material with little commercial value, from forests can reduce wildfire risk, protect watersheds, and improve forest health. The high transportation costs of these materials often lead to them being burned in place or not removed, increasing the risk of wildfires, insects, and disease. This program, made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration's Inflation Reduction Act, offers grants to support wood utilization facilities and the rural economies that depend on them.

In 2023, these grants helped remove almost 59,000 tons of hazardous fuels from nine national forests, which were then processed into products like peeled poles, firewood, and animal bedding. Applications for this grant will be accepted for 30 days, with public information sessions available to assist organizations. Project selections will be announced later this year.