Napa County wins $37.5 million wildfire prevention grant

September 1, 2023
Napa Valley Register – Barry Eberling

Napa County has hit a fire protection jackpot of sorts — it will receive a $37.5 million federal grant for fuel reduction and other wildfire prevention efforts.

“This grant will empower us to take significant strides in safeguarding our community for future generations, especially in the face of impending wildfires,” Board of Supervisors Chair Belia Ramos said in a news release.

Christopher Thompson of the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation on Thursday called the grant “critical” to further fuel reduction efforts.

Money is coming from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The county must provide an additional 25% match, or more than $9 million.