Eastern Sierra Secures $5 Million in Grants for Wildfire Prevention Efforts

The Eastern Sierra has received nearly $5 million in state and federal grant funding for wildfire prevention. CalFire allocated $322,000 to Inyo County for community fuel reduction vouchers and park efforts.

This funding is part of a $4.6 million USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant aimed at Inyo and Mono counties, administered by the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments. The USDA grant will facilitate five years of chipping, hauling, biomass processing, and sustainable green-waste management initiatives.

It will also enhance local fuel-reduction crews, Firewise and Fire Safe Councils, and resident education through home-risk assessments. Upcoming efforts include updates to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan in 2024 and support for a regional workforce pipeline with Cerro Coso Community College. The Board of Supervisors reappointed members to the Emergency Medical Care Committee and approved the 2026 Legislative Platform, with a new chairperson to be elected on January 6, 2026.