Nevada receives historic $57 million in federal funding to reduce wildfire risks, restore wildlands in Elko County and across the Sierra Front

The Nevada Division of Forestry is excited to share that the US Department of Agriculture is providing $57.3 million in federal funds to mitigate wildfire risks across more than 3.4 million acres of land in Elko County and the Sierra Front. This historic investment in wildfire mitigation in Nevada was fully funded through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

The new funding will help advance the collective goals of Nevada’s Shared Stewardship Agreement, a collaborative strategy among multiple public, private, and tribal partners focused on tackling the wildfire crisis. State Forester/Firewarden Kacey KC highlighted the importance of this strategy, which is based on partnerships and cooperation to carry out critical forest and rangeland health projects in the right place, at the right time, and at the right scale. “The Shared Stewardship approach recognizes the complexity of wildfire management in Nevada and the West at large.  It takes all of us – state, federal, and local government, tribal nations, private landowners, community organizations and private industry – working together to create fire-resilient landscapes and communities in our highest risk areas across Nevada.” 

“I’m thrilled Nevada is receiving this historic investment in federal funds from the US Department of Agriculture for high-impact projects in high-risk communities that will significantly reduce wildfire threats in Elko County and along the Sierra Front,” said Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. “I thank our multi-agency Shared Stewardship partners for working together to increase the pace and scale of forest and rangeland health projects in critical areas to help protect families, local economies, natural resources, and the Nevada way of life – on both public and private land.”

USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore, Nevada's State Forester/Firewarden Kacey KC, and Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Dr. Homer Wilkes pose with Forest Service employees at the Tonto National Forest, in Arizona. Photo courtesy USDA Forest Service