Millions Awarded for Wildfire Mitigation Projects Across Oregon

NewsOutdoor

Nov 20

New federal funding will support fuels reduction, defensible space work, prescribed fire training, and community resilience efforts statewide.

Oregon will receive more than $28 million in new federal funding to help reduce wildfire risk across some of the state’s most vulnerable communities. The grants were awarded through the Community Wildfire Defense Program, an initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021, part of the Biden administration’s nationwide investment in wildfire resilience.

The program supports at-risk communities with wildfire planning, fuels reduction, and preparedness on tribal, state, and privately managed lands. It comes as Oregon and the broader West continue to face longer fire seasons, heavier fuel loads, and increasing threats to homes and infrastructure.

This year's Oregon awards include six major projects, each focused on reducing hazardous fuels, strengthening emergency routes, increasing defensible space, expanding prescribed fire training, and improving long-term community readiness.

These efforts strengthen emergency access and improve the effectiveness of wildfire suppression resources.

Combined, Oregon’s six projects represent $28,512,515 in federal investment to help reduce wildfire risks, improve emergency response, and increase community resilience ahead of future fire seasons. A complete list of national projects can be located here.

Deschutes County, $3,439,362
La Pine Wildfire Mitigation Project

Deschutes County will expand wildfire preparedness work in and around the La Pine Rural Fire District. The project includes hazardous fuels reduction on both private and county-owned lands, improvements to evacuation routes, and extensive community education through workshops, events, and outreach campaigns.

Douglas County, $6,124,970
Hazardous Fuels Reduction: Safeguarding Communities at Highest Risk

Douglas County Public Works will address hazardous vegetation along 21 road systems totaling 117.5 miles—critical corridors for emergency response and evacuation. Work includes:

Removing hazard trees and large canopy limbs
Treating brush and noxious weeds
Roadside mowing, trimming, and chipping
Purchasing a diamond mower for long-term vegetation management

These efforts are designed to protect communities and improve firefighter access during emergencies.

Oregon Department of Forestry, $2,359,909
Cave Junction–Takilma–Illinois Valley Mira Fuels Mitigation Project

This project invests in targeted fuels reduction and community-led prescribed fire in Josephine County. Major components include:

Thinning ladder fuels to 10–14 feet
Conducting community under-burns and training events
Hosting Certified Burn Manager courses
Providing defensible space assessments
Strengthening fuel breaks along roads and property boundaries

The project supports hazardous fuels treatment on 800+ acres and helps establish two new Firewise Communities.

Oregon Department of Forestry, $2,624,890
South Lane Wildfire Risk Reduction

This project focuses on three high-risk and disadvantaged communities in Lane County. Work includes fuels reduction on private lands, defensible space improvements, and a wildfire-prevention education campaign aimed at helping residents better understand their local risk.

Wildfire Ready Linn County, $8,711,040
Sweet Home Fire & Ambulance District

One of the state’s largest awards, this project aims to build a long-term, collaborative fuels-management pipeline and expand defensible space work for at-risk communities. Funding will support strategic planning, community education, and improved access to mitigation resources.

Wallowa County, $5,252,344
Wallowa Valley Resiliency Project, Wallowa County WSCD

Wallowa County will carry out major action items from its Community Wildfire Protection Plan, including: