USDA today announced $23 million in grants to support transporting hazardous fuels – such as dead or downed trees – from national forests to processing facilities. Through the USDA Forest Service’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program, these grants will reduce the hazardous fuels that pose wildfire threats to communities, critical infrastructure and recreation areas."President Trump has directed his cabinet to unleash domestic production of our natural resources, including timber. Our nation is blessed with an abundance of resources and there is no reason we cannot responsibly harvest and use these products right here at home. Investments like these are delivering on our commitment to protect communities, make forests healthier and more resilient,"&nbsp;said Secretary Rollins. "Removing hazardous fuels not only reduces wildfire risk but also creates opportunities for businesses and workers in the wood products industry. These grants also reflect the Forest Service’s dedication to active forest management, and we will continue working to keep our forests productive, sustainable, and safe for future generations."This work directly supports President Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-14225-immediate-expansion-american-timber-production">Executive Order</a>&nbsp;on increasing domestic timber production as well as Secretary Rollins’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sm-1078-006.pdf">direction to have the Forest Service</a>&nbsp;(PDF, 2.9 MB) ramp up active forest management on national forests to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and support rural prosperity.Unlike high-value wood, which is typically used in construction and furniture manufacturing, low-value wood has more limited applications, with fewer facilities able to process it into useful products like soil-enriching materials, renewable energy sources like electricity and heat, and sustainable construction solutions such as cross-laminated timber. The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program aims to help businesses, non-profits, and state, local and tribal governments make use of the dead trees, fallen branches, and dense undergrowth which would go to waste or fuel catastrophic wildfires.The Forest Service will accept applications through June 20, 2025. Information about webinars will be available soon on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/forest-management/products/hazardous-fuels-transport-assist-grants">Forest Service Timber Transportation website</a>. To expedite wildfire mitigation and forest restoration efforts, projects in areas covered by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/04/04/secretary-rollins-announces-sweeping-reforms-protect-national-forests-and-boost-domestic-timber">Emergency Situation Determinations (ESDs)</a>&nbsp;will be prioritized in the selection process. These authorities allow the Forest Service to act swiftly in high-risk firesheds by expediting project approvals and reducing administrative delays, ensuring that hazardous fuel reduction efforts reach the most vulnerable communities and landscapes.

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USDA on May 6 announced it will offer $23 million in grants through the Forest Service’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program to support transporting hazardous fuels – such as dead or downed trees – from national forests to processing facilities. 

USDA acts to boost timber production, reduce wildfire risk

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