Oregon State Fire Marshal release – SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the recipients of its competitive $18-million Community Wildfire Risk Reduction (CWRR) Grant. These funds will help communities across Oregon reach their goals of improving wildfire resiliency, using local programs and solutions. In total, 106 organizations were offered grant funding, totaling $18 million. Projects receiving funding include community-wide wildfire defensible space programs, vegetation removal around buildings, community chipping programs, community education related to wildfire preparedness, equipment for vegetation removal, and staff to support these local efforts. “This grant will allow communities to create proactive, local solutions to lessen the impacts of wildfire,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “We know that wildfire can happen anywhere in Oregon. Investing in communities in all areas of our state will bring much-needed community risk reduction and resiliency projects and programs to life.” The CWRR grant is funding local governments, special districts, structural fire service agencies, and non-governmental organizations to support wildfire risk reduction projects, equipment, and staff. In total, 161 entities applied to fund 269 projects totaling a requested $44.5 million, highlighting the need for these grants to support important work in communities across Oregon. “We are excited that Sumpter was awarded funding through this grant,” Matt Armstrong with the City of Sumpter said. “We are a small town with limited resources; it makes it difficult to fund initiatives focused on preventing wildland fires. The funds will go a long way toward building defensible spaces. We are truly grateful and are looking forward to working with the OSFM.” Applicants were scored through a diverse scoring committee with representatives from the OSFM, other state government agencies, non-governmental organizations, fire service agencies, special districts, and emergency management. Projects were prioritized on: Impact in high wildfire-risk regions; Communities with high social vulnerability; Those in and around the built environment; Providing defensible space and community resiliency; Protecting people and communities. Geographically diverse projects to ensure all areas of the state have the resources to improve community wildfire risk reduction and better prepare communities. South Coast recipients: City of Bandon $134,486.00; City of North Bend $250,000.00; City of Reedsport $145,000.00; Coos Forest Protective Association $150,000.00; Curry County $485,000.00; Lakeside Rural Fire Protection District $14,240.00; Myrtle Point Fire Department $181,100.00.
