The USDA has announced a $100 million investment aimed at reducing wildfire risks across 14 states, with a significant focus on California, which will receive $15 million for projects in its national forests. This funding is part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which addresses areas at high risk of wildfires, utilizing methods like prescribed burns and forest thinning to protect nearby communities. Oregon will also benefit from over $9 million allocated for projects in its national forests, with officials emphasizing the need for proactive measures to safeguard lives and properties amid an unprecedented wildfire season. Furthermore, 20 Western governors, including Arizona's Katie Hobbs, are urging Congress for more urgent action to combat the growing wildfire crisis, highlighting the inadequacies of the current reactive approach to wildfire management. The USDA's initiative, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is seen as a crucial step towards enhancing long-term fire preparedness and ecosystem restoration. Local collaboration and involvement of Indigenous tribes are central to these efforts, as stakeholders work to mitigate wildfire threats and promote forest health.