Title III Forest Fees Program

The Title III Forest Fees Program administered by Yavapai County, Arizona is a locally managed funding opportunity derived from federal forest fee allocations and distributed through the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. The program is designed to support activities that enhance public safety, wildfire preparedness, and emergency response capabilities within and around federal lands in the county. The county serves as the administering authority, coordinating application intake, eligibility screening, and final award decisions in alignment with federal Title III funding guidelines. The primary purpose of the program is to reduce wildfire risk, strengthen emergency services, and support community resilience initiatives. Funding is available for projects that align with specific statutory categories, including Firewise community education and mitigation activities, reimbursement for county-incurred emergency response services on federal lands, training and equipment for emergency personnel, and the development and implementation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans. These categories emphasize both proactive prevention measures and reactive emergency service support, ensuring a comprehensive approach to wildfire risk management. Eligible uses of funds include educational outreach to homeowners in fire-prone ecosystems, implementation of defensible space and fire-resistant construction techniques, and vegetation management activities that reduce hazardous fuels. Additionally, the program supports operational costs incurred by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office for search and rescue and other emergency services conducted on federal lands, as well as training and equipment directly related to these services. Projects must clearly align with one of the defined categories and demonstrate a direct connection to wildfire mitigation or emergency response. The program allows proposals from both internal county departments and external applicants, indicating a broad and inclusive eligibility framework. However, certain categories are restricted, such as reimbursement activities that apply exclusively to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. All applicants must ensure that their proposed activities fall strictly within the defined categories and meet eligibility requirements established by the county and federal guidelines. Applications must be submitted by August 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., marking the final deadline for the current funding cycle. Following submission, applications undergo an initial eligibility screening before being reviewed by the Yavapai County Emergency Management Division, which evaluates proposals based on demonstrated need and alignment with program priorities. Preliminary funding recommendations are then presented to the Board of Supervisors at a scheduled public meeting. After preliminary determinations are made, the county publishes a project list and initiates a 45-day public notice and comment period. This step ensures transparency and community input prior to final funding decisions. Final allocations are approved by the Board of Supervisors at a subsequent meeting in December 2026. Applicants are encouraged to consult the county website for application materials and reach out to designated program contacts for additional guidance or clarification during the application process.