State Fire Capacity near Federal Lands in East Texas - Prescribed Fire Grant

The State Fire Capacity near Federal Lands in East Texas Prescribed Fire Grant is administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service as part of a broader effort to reduce wildfire risk and improve ecosystem resilience in high-risk regions. This program specifically targets private and non-federal public lands in East Texas counties that contain significant federal land presence, elevated wildfire fuel loads, and communities with higher social vulnerability. The initiative reflects a strategic investment in proactive land management practices, particularly prescribed burning, to mitigate catastrophic wildfire risks while supporting ecological restoration. The primary purpose of this grant is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulation through controlled prescribed burns. By financially supporting landowners and land managers, the program enables safer and more effective fire management practices that protect nearby communities and natural resources. The funding is structured as a reimbursement program, where recipients are compensated for actual per-acre costs associated with conducting prescribed burns, up to a maximum reimbursement rate of 30 dollars per acre. Importantly, the program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, lowering barriers to participation for eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include landowners located within 20 designated East Texas counties that meet specific criteria related to federal land proximity, wildfire risk, and social vulnerability metrics. Applicants must either own the land or have explicit permission from the landowner to apply. The prescribed burn must be conducted by a Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager, ensuring compliance with professional and safety standards. Additionally, landowners who are themselves certified burn managers are not eligible to receive funding for burns conducted on their own property, maintaining program integrity. The application process is conducted entirely online and opens annually on June 1, closing on July 14. Applicants must submit a comprehensive package that includes detailed landowner and contractor information, a certified burn plan signed by the burn boss, geographic coordinates of the burn unit, and a boundary map with aerial or satellite imagery. Strict submission requirements apply, and incomplete or late applications are not accepted. No alternative submission methods such as mail or email are permitted, and no deadline extensions are granted. Once applications are submitted, they are evaluated competitively based on the program’s goal of reducing wildfire risk near communities. Applicants receive formal notification indicating approval or denial. Approved applicants must complete all required documentation and receive an official approval to burn letter before conducting any prescribed burn activities. Failure to obtain this approval prior to burning may result in ineligibility for reimbursement. Following approval, the Texas A&M Forest Service conducts site visits to document pre-burn conditions and post-burn outcomes. Recipients must coordinate with their burn contractor to provide advance notice of burn activities and report treated acreage upon completion. Reimbursement is issued only after verification of completed work. The program operates on an annual cycle, with recurring application windows each year, reinforcing its role as an ongoing tool for wildfire risk mitigation and land stewardship in East Texas.

Ensure all documentation is complete and accurate before submission; obtain approval to burn letter before conducting any burn; align applicant name across all documents and invoices; use a certified burn manager with proper credentials