U.S. Forest Service Invests Nearly $32 Million to Reduce Wildfire Risk in California
Over $7 Million to Increase Timber Production and Reduce Wildfire Risk:
September 16, 2025 – The U.S. Forest Service announced it is investing $7.1 million for 18 projects in California. These projects are on or adjacent to 8 National Forests and will remove more than 275,000 tons of biomass that would otherwise remain in the forests. These investments into California are part of a national investment of $23 million to help 35 grant recipients remove and transport an estimated 1.1 million tons of low-value trees and woody debris from national forests to processing facilities. The grants are delivered through the agency’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Program, which is designed to help businesses, nonprofits, and state, local, and tribal governments make use of trees, downed vegetation, and other hazardous fuels that would otherwise go to waste or fuel catastrophic wildfires. The trees and woody debris, often too low in value to cover transportation costs, are transformed from a wildfire hazard to valuable products and a source of energy.
Nearly $25 Million to Protect Communities from Wildfire:
September 23,2025 – The U.S. Forest Service announced it is investing $200 million in 58 projects through its Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program. Nearly $25 million will be allocated to 6 projects that will protect communities across California. These projects are intended to help at-risk communities plan for and reduce wildfire risk, protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure. See details on each of California’s funded projects here.
