The Department of the Interior has announced $138 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help protect communities from wildfires for the 2024 fiscal year.
“The funding will support the modernization of wildland firefighter training, help reduce the risk of extreme wildfires, rehabilitate burned areas, and advance fire science,” the Interior said.
The investment builds on an overall $67 million previously allocated under the law since it went into effect in 2022. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also established the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, which was charged with making recommendations to improve federal policies related to wildland fires.
The commission released its first report last February, which examined aerial firefighting equipment needs and outlined a new management strategy. In September, the group released a report outlining 148 recommendations.
