Wildfire Ready Cost-Share Program
The Wildfire Ready Missoula County cost-share program is a partnership between Missoula County and United Way of Missoula County. It is funded through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant and provides assistance to private landowners who want to reduce wildfire risk on their property.
Private landowners play a critical role in helping out communities adapting to living with wildfire. This program provides both technical guidance and financial support to make mitigation work more accessible and affordable.
Eligible projects may include:
- Creating and improving the defensible space around your home and outbuildings
- Removing hazardous vegetation along driveways and access routes
- Supporting long-term forest health and community wildfire resilience
If your project is approved, Missoula County will pay up to 75% of eligible project costs.
How it works
- Get a free risk assessment from a Missoula County Wildfire Mitigation Specialist. The specialist will visit your property to determine eligibility and discuss potential treatment options via a customized treatment plan.
- Receive project estimates. You meet with forestry contractors who can complete the treatment plan. A list of approved contractors is available. The contractors provide estimates and a bid quote based on your treatment plan.
- Agreement. You approve of the estimate and the treatment plan. Then, a contract is signed between Missoula County and the contractor. You sign a separate contract with the contractor.
- Work is completed. Once the work is completed and inspected by a county Mitigation Specialist, Missoula County pays up to 75% of the total project cost directly to the contractor.
FAQs
- The maximum contribution from the county (via the grant) is $1,900 per acre.
- If your project estimate is less than $2,500 per acre, the grant pays for 75% of the total cost.
- If your project estimate is more than $2,500 per acre, the grant pays up to $1,900 per acre and you pay the remaining balance.
- Projects must be completed within one year from the start date.
- Completion includes both vegetation cutting and disposal of the material (like chipping, hauling off-site or pile burning).
- Tree removal that requires advanced technical equipment like ropes or aerial lifts
- Stump grinding or removal
- Prescribed burning (slash pile burning is eligible)
No. Grant funds require hiring a contractor to complete your project. You are welcome to complete some elements of your treatment plan to reduce overall project costs.