$225,000 grant to help Comanche County combat wildfire threat

Comanche County-Lawton Emergency Management received a $225,000 grant Wednesday that is expected to mark a significant step forward in enhancing countywide wildfire mitigation efforts.

The grant, received from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, will provide Comanche County an opportunity to identify wildfire prone areas and develop a strategic plan to enhance the county’s wildfire mitigation efforts, according to Clint Langford, Comanche County-Lawton Emergency Management Director.

The grant will be instrumental in the development of a comprehensive, county-wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan. This strategic initiative targets the three main goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy: restore and maintain landscapes, create fire adapted communities, and improve wildfire response, Langford said. Priority was given to applications that represent areas with high wildfire potential, low-income communities, and communities impacted by severe disaster.

“Receiving this grant is a huge win for our citizens and responders,” he said. “These funds will enable our county to take a collective approach in identifying vulnerable and at-risk wildfire areas and develop strategies to protect citizens and critical infrastructure.”

Langford noted that Comanche County has a history of wildfires that devastate communities and first responders, physically and financially.

“By creating a Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Comanche County, our goal is to create a strategic plan to mitigate wildfire effects to our county and make us more resilient,” he said.

The Community Wildfire Protection Plan will involve extensive collaboration with local agencies, community organizations, and residents to identify wildfire risks, prioritize mitigation strategies, and establish a framework for effective response and recovery.

Langford estimated that work will begin on the development of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan in August.