Wildland/Urban Interface grants available to communities Deadline for applications is June 14, 2002

Communities in Oregon and Washington seeking fire hazard reduction assistance from five federal agencies should apply now for grants for FY 2003.

The agencies expect to award between $7 and $9 million in FY2003 to private landowners with the majority of grants going to projects costing less than $250,000. The grants will be awarded after October 1, 2002.

The grants provide financial assistance under the National Fire Plan to communities that could suffer damage from wildfires. The grants are intended to provide incentive to reduce hazardous fuels and increase fire education, prevention and planning. The idea is to use a