For more information:
Keith Merckx, Information Representative
keith.merckx@odaff-staging.kochcomm.dev | 405.664.4908
March 22, 2023
Federal Funds Granted to Oklahoma for Wildfire Fuels Mitigation
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma is the recipient of more than $134,000 in federal grant money awarded to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. The funds are part of nearly $200 million announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service that will benefit 22 states and seven tribes, as part of the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program. The grants will help communities, tribes, non-profit organizations, and state forestry agencies plan for and mitigate wildfire risks as the nation faces an ongoing wildfire crisis.
The city of Davis, OK will receive $134,477 to complete 9 projects on 1,500 acres as part of the Turner Falls Natural Wildland Restoration Project. The money will be used to reduce the threat of wildfire through the removal of ground and cedar fuel as well as the creation of firebreaks to enable firefighter access in areas with little to no current equipment access.
The grant comes as Oklahoma Forestry Services expands partnerships with local governments around the state on wildfire fuels mitigation efforts. Most recently OFS completed two projects in conjunction with the City of Bartlesville and Washington County. OFS is currently working to reduce the fuel load in Tulsa’s Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness.
Oklahoma Forestry Services is the state’s lead wildland firefighting agency. For wildfire information, county burn ban resolutions, and the Oklahoma “Wildfire Situation Report” visit forestry.ok.gov.
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