USDA allots $22 million to wildfire prevention in Washington
SEATTLE — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded almost $22 million to Central and Eastern Washington communities to help reduce the risk of wildfires.
“Some of the highest risk areas in our state will benefit from preventative treatments that reduce fuels, improve forest health, and build community resilience,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell in a news release Thursday.
The department awarded $20.87 million to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest-led Central Washington Initiative and $980,000 to the northeast Washington forests, including the Colville National Forest.
The funds will be used for wildfire prevention techniques such as prescribed burns, hazardous fuel reduction, and other vegetation management, the news release said.
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