National Fire Plan-Wildland Urban Interface Community Fire Assistance 2014

The intent of these fuels reduction projects are to provide defensible space from wildland fires in and around communities on or adjacent to National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska. This grant opportunity and its activities will assist in the mitigation of potential impacts of wildfire spread from National Wildlife Refuge System lands onto local community and private lands. Treatment areas are to be in the immediate vicinity of private homes and local businesses. Villages and communities eligible for this grant opportunity must have been identified by the State of Alaska and by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a community at risk from wildland fires originating on private and public lands and be adjacent to or within the boundaries of a National Wildlife Refuge. Goals: 1. Create shaded fuel breaks and fire breaks in and around the community or private lands to mitigate potential fire spread into them from wildfires originating on federal and other lands. 2. Promote a collaborative approach to community fire hazard reduction by educating local communities and homeowners in Firewise concepts and engaging them in the process of planning, and implementing fuels mitigation. 3. Enhance employment opportunities and encourage small business development through the use of local labor resources. This project will employ from 10 to 20 local personnel at the various locations. 4. Conduct treatment activities in a way that promotes the safety of fireline personnel and the public.