Cantwell presses USFS chief on Trump admin withholding $49M ahead of WA wildfire season

The funding Washington is waiting on includes $28.6 million in Community Wildfire Defense Grants, which are set aside for wildfire prevention in and near wildfire-prone communities. Prevention work includes fuel reduction, homeowner education to reduce fire risk, and hiring personnel to carry it out. Grants listed as being held up include $4.21 million for Okanogan County Electric Cooperative; $9.72 million for Columbia Land Trust; $9.25 million for Spokane Conservation District; and $5.5 million for Spokane Valley Fire Department.