State Seal

 

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

 

News Release

     LINDA LINGLE              

           GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                            ALLAN A. SMITH, INTERIM CHAIRPERSON

                                                                                                                                            Phone: (808) 587-0401

                                                                                                                                            Fax: (808) 587-0390

                                                                                                                                             

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2007

  

DLNR Offering Competitive Grant Funds To Assist
Communities In Protecting Against Wildland Fires

HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites communities and private landowners to apply for competitive grant funds to help develop proactive wildland fire protection.

“Last year in Hawai‘i we experienced an extremely high number of wildland fires on most islands and in communities located next to wildland areas,” said Allan Smith, DLNR interim chairperson.

“We continue to be concerned and vigilant this summer about wildfires. The risks to communities in the “wildland/urban interface” remains very high,” said Smith.

“It is critical that we assist these areas in reducing their risk from catastrophic fires. The State Fire Assistance program is designed to do just that,” he said. “We hope that communities and their leaders again take advantage to apply for these competitive grant funds.”

This year, the DLNR secured a $77,500 grant from the State Fire Assistance Program under the National Fire Plan. This money will be used to develop community wildfire protection plans for west Hawai‘i as well as to develop fuel reduction projects such as the removal of dead trees and brush.

Funds for the 2008-2009 fiscal year are available through the National Fire Plan, and can be used for writing community wildfire protection plans, fuel hazard reduction projects, fire education and prevention programs, and homeowner and community action.

All applications are due by close of business on Friday, September 7, 2007. The funding will be available for fiscal year 2008-2009, and projects which are funded will be able to begin on July 1, 2008.

Last year, Congress provided approximately $1.9 billion for all programs associated with the National Fire Plan (of which the Wildland Urban Interface program is a part). This amount included $16.5 million to the western states and Pacific territories through the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry programs.

Grant applications may be obtained by contacting Wayne Ching, DLNR’s State Protection Forester at (808) 587-4173 or by e-mail at wayne.f.ching@hawaii.gov. A copy can also be downloaded from the DOFAW website at www.dofaw.net.

Here are some helpful tips to keep our communities “Firewise”:

  • DLNR reminds homeowners who live in areas that are intermixed or interspersed with brush or vegetation to take these preventive measures to protect their homes:
  • Homeowners should clean their roofs and gutters and make sure that they are free of debris.
  • If there are any bushes or trees adjacent to the home keep those well watered, and prune away dead branches.
  • If possible, establish a clear “buffer zone” around the house by removing dry grass, dead wood or other items that could become fuel for a wildland fire.
  • More tips on how to protect your home from wildfires can be found at www.firewise.org.
  • As hot summer weather and a drying trend continue across the state DLNR is also asking campers in state parks, forest reserves, and campgrounds to take precautions when using camp stoves and barbecue grills. Campers should also be aware that open fires on the ground are not allowed. Hikers and hunters should field-strip their cigarette butts if smoking.

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For more information, contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320