County looking for rural residents who need help reducing wildfire risk around homes

Rural residents who need help with fuels reduction to help make their homes less at risk from wildfire may be able to receive up to $4,000 in work from Lane County – and, unlike other grant programs, it does not require property owners to cover any of the cost.

The focus of the grant is providing 50 feet of defensible space around homes through vegetation clearing.

“This new grant funding is going to make a big difference for at least 100 properties in our community,” said Lane County Land Management Technician Cammryne Anderson. “Other programs that we run require property owners to cover the costs upfront and then reimburse for part of the total cost depending on the project. With this funding, we will be able to provide $4,000 in work by a County-coordinated contractor. Our residents won’t need to provide funding up front or attempt to hire their own contractor.”

Residents must live in unincorporated Lane County. Residents who are elderly, low-income, disabled, or otherwise vulnerable and who live in high-risk areas will be given priority.

Lane County is collecting interest forms through February 29, 2024. The interest forms were designed to be simple and quick for people to fill out. Selected property owners will be contacted by Lane County to schedule a site visit before any work begins in the spring and summer of 2024.

The funding comes from a grant awarded to Lane County by the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

Interested residents can submit their interest form online at http://www.LaneCountyOR.gov/CWRR or contact program staff at [email protected] or 541-682-6702.