The Routt County Commissioners have issued a letter supporting Routt County’s application to the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program, requesting $258,000 from the program for a wildfire mitigation project.

The project “seeks to reduce wildfire risk along nine priority evacuation and access/egress routes within Routt County through roadside mowing and mastication, fuels reduction, hazard tree removal and the creation of shaded fuel breaks within county rights-of-way,” according to the letter.

If the grant is awarded, the county will match the funds to support the mitigation project.

The Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program is a competitive, cost-share funding opportunity designed to reduce wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface, promote forest health and restoration and encourage the utilization of woody biomass for forest products and energy, according to a county communication form.

“Wildfire risk is among the most significant challenges facing Routt County, with both residents and visitors relying on safe evacuation routes that are resilient and passable in the event of an emergency,” the letter states. “This project directly aligns with the intent of the (Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program) by reducing wildfire risk to people, property and infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface, while also promoting long-term community safety and forest health.”

If implemented, the project will strengthens community resilience, promotes long-term forest health, and safeguards residents, visitors, and property in Routt County’s wildlandurban interface through local and state collaboration.