US Sets Aside $490 Million for Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

US Sets Aside , $490 Million For , Wildfire Mitigation Efforts.

NBC reports that the United States government is boosting its efforts to protect vulnerable areas of the country from devastating wildfires.

On January 19, the Agriculture Department announced that $490 million will be earmarked for projects aimed at reducing fire risks.

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The funding will be used for wildfire mitigation efforts in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

Last year, $440 million in funds from Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure law was set aside for wildfire mitigation projects.

Last year, $440 million in funds from Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure law was set aside for wildfire mitigation projects.

According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the additional resources will help protect up to 45 million acres of land in the western U.S. According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the additional resources will help protect up to 45 million acres of land in the western U.S. This expanse includes 134 high-risk areas where wildfires pose a significant risk to communities and infrastructure.

According to the USDA's Wildfire Crisis Strategy, 250 of these high-risk "firesheds" exist across the western U.S. We expect and anticipate that around 200 communities in the western U.S. will see a mitigated wildfire risk as a result, Tom Vilsack, U.S. Agriculture Secretary, via NBC.

NBC reports that ongoing "megadrought" conditions have left states vulnerable to the year-round threat of wildfires.

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NBC reports that ongoing "megadrought" conditions have left states vulnerable to the year-round threat of wildfires.

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We also factored into this determination the most current predictive science and research that will allow us to determine where risks are highest.

It’s not a matter of whether or not a forest will burn.

It’s just a matter of when and where, Tom Vilsack, U.S. Agriculture Secretary, via NBC