The USDA Forest Service is investing over $1.5 million in communities impacted by wildfires.
Mission, South Dakota is among the communities selected to receive federal grant funds in the first round of the Wildfire Defense Planning Project.
Mission’s Volunteer Fire Department was awarded over $60,000 to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to assist in mitigating the risk of wildfires.
The USDA Forest Service said the grant money will help in developing roadmaps for addressing wildfire risks and provide funding for immediate action.
Similar Wildfire Protection Plans are being implemented in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
Overall, the federal government has invested $3.5 billion in wildfire management throughout the nation, according to the USDA.
Included in the investment are goals to reduce wildfire risks, better detect wildfires, and increase the pay for federal wildland firefighters.
A second round of grant recipients will be announced by the Forest Service later in 2023.
