Travis County approves applying for $8 million US Forest Service wildfire grant

Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously March 13 to authorize staff to submit a letter of intent to apply for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant South, a U.S. Forest Service program that would provide $8,000,000 in federal funds and carries a proposed county cost share of $2,666,667 spread over five years.

The vote came during a special session called at 3:01 p.m. at 700 Lavaca. Judge Brown presided; Commissioners Howard, Gomez and Trevillion were present and supported the motion. Commissioner Howard moved to approve the letter of intent and Judge Brown seconded; the court approved the motion unanimously.

Dashiell Daniels with Grama Administration, who presented the proposal, said the federal share would be $8,000,000 and that the application includes “a $3,000,000 line for contractuals. Dollars 600,000 of that will be for a community outreach and education contractor in emergency services.” Daniels described a two‑track project that would expand Travis County Parks’ ability to perform mechanical and prescribed fire treatments on public land…