The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be providing $23 million in grants under the USDA Forest Service’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program to transport hazardous fuels –such as dead or downed trees – from national forests to processing facilities. Low-value wood has limited applications for use and as a result there are fewer facilities available to process it to products such as biochar, cross-laminated timber, and pellets for electricity and heat. The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program aims to help businesses, non-profits, and state, local and tribal governments make use of the dead trees, fallen branches, and dense undergrowth which would go to waste or fuel catastrophic wildfires.

“President Trump has directed his cabinet to unleash domestic production of our natural resources, including timber. Our nation is blessed with an abundance of resources and there is no reason we cannot responsibly harvest and use these products right here at home. Investments like these are delivering on our commitment to protect communities, make forests healthier and more resilient,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Removing hazardous fuels not only reduces wildfire risk but also creates opportunities for businesses and workers in the wood products industry. These grants also reflect the Forest Service’s dedication to active forest management, and we will continue working to keep our forests productive, sustainable, and safe for future generations.”

This work directly supports President Trump’s Executive Order on increasing domestic timber production as well as Secretary Rollins’ direction to have the Forest Service ramp up active forest management on national forests to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and support rural prosperity.

The Forest Service will accept applications through June 20, 2025. Information about webinars will be available soon on the Forest Service Timber Transportation website. To expedite wildfire mitigation and forest restoration efforts, projects in areas covered by Emergency Situation Determinations (ESDs) will be prioritized in the selection process.