The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 23 to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Idaho Department of Lands for a $450,000 landowner assistance grant to treat hazardous fuels in several county communities.

Andrea Littlefield, representing the county, told commissioners the MOU covers "roughly 133 acres of hazardous fuel treatment in and around the Wolf Lodge, Cataldo, and Harrison communities." She said the grant amount is $450,000 and "no match" is required.

Littlefield asked the board to approve the MOU so the county could access the Idaho Department of Lands funding and proceed with hazardous-fuel reduction work. The board approved the item by voice vote.

County staff did not provide a detailed funding breakdown at the meeting; staff said the MOU and grant award would allow the Office of Emergency Management and local landowners to start mitigation work once administrative steps are completed.