The Wildfire Risk Reduction Program for Rural Communities was established in 2005 under the National Fire Plan to assist communities throughout New Mexico in reducing their risk from wildland fire on non-federal lands. The New Mexico Association of Counties (NMAC), a nonprofit community foundation, has partnered with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to administer the program and distribute awards.

This grant program is only applicable to the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). WUI is defined as identified in an approved Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). A completed and approved CWPP is a pre-requisite for funding through this program. The program targets at-risk communities by offering seed money to help defray the costs of reducing wildland fire risk on non-federal lands in WUI areas throughout New Mexico. Funding for this grant program is intended to directly benefit communities that may be impacted by wildland fire initiating from or spreading to BLM public land.

In 2010-2011, priority will be given to applicants who request funding to implement CWPP identified projects that reduce hazardous fuels and can show a direct benefit to BLM lands. CWPP updates are also strongly encouraged. Applicants may apply for complimentary projects with no more than one per category (1 Fuel Treatment, 1 Education, Prevention and Outreach, 1 CWPP Update). Each project must be submitted on a different application. A Selection Committee comprised of wildland fire experts, federal, state and local government officials will review all project proposals and make funding recommendations. The New Mexico Association of Counties Board of Directors will have final approval of these recommendations.

Grants for Hazardous Fuel Reduction projects on non-federal lands are available for up to $50,000/project.

Grants for Wildland Fire Education, Prevention and Outreach Activities that support implementation of an applicable CWPP are available for up to $10,000/project.

All project proposals require a minimum 10% cost share. Cost share can be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. Funded projects must be completed within 12 months of award acceptance.

It is the responsibility of the grantee to assure that if their project is selected for funding through the Wildfire Risk Reduction Program that it complies with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Applicants who receive more than $500,000 annually from federal sources will be required to submit a copy of their audit to NMAC.

All funds must be expended within 12 months of award acceptance. Funds cannot be used to attempt to influence legislation or the outcome of any public election.

Prescribed burning of any type including, but not limited to, broadcast burns, pile burns, understory burns, etc. is explicitly excluded as an approved practice through this grant program.