The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allows expenditures on a broad range of governmental services, particularly for ARPA funds claimed under the Act’s revenue loss provisions, and through ARPA provisions that can fund additional local government staffing. Douglas County is evaluating the use of ARPA funds to address wildfire suppression and mitigation through two pilot programs.
Douglas County Office of Emergency Management proposes additional staffing devoted to the County’s Helitack Program. Douglas County is considering the application of ARPA funds for this purpose.
The Douglas County Wildfire Initiative Staff proposes the use of ARPA funding for the expansion of the County’s wildfire mitigation defensible space program to include a chipping and mitigation cost-share program for fuel reduction in the Wildland Urban Interface area.
Matching funds for the State’s 2023-2024 Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) program to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk at Sandstone Ranch and Open Space in Larkspur, adjacent to the Pike National Forest.
Additional Information about Douglas County’s approach to wildfire suppression and mitigation can be found by visiting:
