(Published by Inland Forest Management, Inc.)

Reducing Fire Hazard

IFM has been recently awarded a contract with Kootenai County to serve as Project Manager for the county’s FireSmart Program. IFM already manages similar programs in Boundary and Benewah Counties, and additional efforts are taking place in other Inland Northwest counties.

These efforts involve using federal dollars to reduce hazardous forest fuels around subdivisions and other developments, and improving escape corridors. The goal of the programs is to provide landowners with better defensible space and access in the event of a wildfire. Specific tasks associated with the projects generally involve removing brush, thinning and pruning trees, and disposing of slash (forest debris). This work is usually accomplished at little to no cost to the landowner.

Steve Bloedel and Don Gunter are the IFM project managers for these grants. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact our office.

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