Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Mitigation Grants from the Colorado State Forest Service Available Through July

The Colorado State Forest Service is accepting applications for 2012 State Fire Assistance Wildland-Urban Interface grants through the end of July. The competitive program makes funds available to homeowners associations, subdivisions, fire departments, counties and other groups to implement projects that mitigate wildfire hazards in the wildland-urban interface.

WUI grant funds can be used for hazardous fuels reduction and fire education or planning. Projects affiliated with approved Community Wildfire Protection Plans receive priority, and all grants require a one-to-one match from recipients.

All interested applicants will be required to identify the project location according to one of the national theme maps found in the Colorado Statewide Forest Resource Assessment, and describe project relevance as it pertains to the Statewide Forest Resource Strategy. Jane Lopez, fuels mitigation program manager for the CSFS, said that applicants are strongly encouraged to consult their local CSFS district for assistance in assessing where projects are located with respect to the theme maps.

“Applicants should work closely with their local district forester in the application process, and be sure to follow all instructions carefully since funding is limited,” she said.

Applications must be submitted directly to the appropriate CSFS district office by the last week of July, but specific deadlines vary by district. District staff will review, prioritize and forward applications to the CSFS State Office.

The CSFS distributed a total of $1.4 million to 31 projects throughout the state that successfully competed for 2011 WUI grants.

Additional information about the 2012 WUI grant program, including program criteria, instructions and application forms, is available online at www.csfs.colostate.edu under the “Funding Opportunities” link.

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