USDA Announces $100 Million for Wildfire Projects

The USDA has announced a $100 million investment in 21 projects aimed at enhancing wildfire crisis management across 14 states, part of a broader $3.2 billion initiative under the Biden-Harris Administration. This funding will support the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy and emphasizes the importance of collaboration with tribes and local communities to effectively reduce wildfire risks. Concurrently, the Department of the Interior is allocating $236 million nationwide for wildland fire management, including over $10 million specifically for Arizona, focusing on training and invasive species eradication. Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis highlighted the ongoing threat of wildfires, which have become a year-round concern, exacerbated by invasive species like buffelgrass. Local officials, including Tucson's mayor, stress the need for these resources to combat climate challenges and enhance community resilience. Both funding announcements reflect a commitment to addressing the increasing wildfire threat and improving forest health nationwide.