Mechanical Fuel Reduction Grant is sponsored by Texas A&M Forest Service. This reimbursement program is designed to reduce wildfire risk to communities and natural resources across eligible areas of Texas through mechanical fuel reduction. The use of commercial wood chippers would be directly applicable to projects funded by this grant.

Mechanical Fuel Reduction Grant - Texas A&M Forest Service Cost-share reimbursement grant for private Texas landowners to protect surrounding communities at risk of wildfire through accepted mechanical fuel reduction. Create defensible space and/or fuel breaks with hand cutting tools, chainsaws, chippers, and/or forestry mulcher/masticator.

Landowners in the indicated 39 Central Texas counties : Austin, Bastrop (partial), Bell (partial), Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Burnet, Coke, Coleman, Colorado, Comal, Concho, Ector, Edwards, Fayette, Glasscock, Grimes, Hays, Irion, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas, Lee, Llano, Madison, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Midland, Mills, Real, Runnels, San Saba, Sterling, Tom Green, Travis (partial), Waller, Washington, and Williamson (partial) counties.

The online application period for the 2026 Mechanical Fuel Reduction grant will be open from June 1 through July 14. Applications will only be accepted online. Applications submitted via email, mail or fax will not be considered.

The Mechanical Fuel Reduction grant is funded through the USDA Forest Service. The grant reduces the risk of home loss to wildfire through accepted mechanical fuel reduction practices. Landowners will be reimbursed for actual costs up to the listed thresholds for conducting mechanical fuel reduction projects on their property.

Project work will be conducted by a hired contractor of the landowner’s choosing. The contracting service hired must not be affiliated with the landowner. Work cannot be conducted by the landowner.

Previous work conducted before pre-inspections will not be accepted. Individual landowners may submit more than one application per project location. Landowners may be approved for more than one application.

The maximum total reimbursement per landowner is $20,000. Join our newsletter to receive updates, tips for submitting applications, and more. You can also email us with any questions.

These treatments aim to remove flammable vegetation within the home ignition zone to create defensible space around homes and structures. They also help reduce the vertical continuity of “ladder fuels”—from grasses to shrubs to trees—which can slow wildfire spread and improve firefighter access.

Priority will be given to projects that create defensible space within 0 to 100 feet of a home or structure, though treatments may extend up to 300 feet in all directions. Another effective method for slowing wildfire progression is the creation of fuel breaks—linear areas of reduced vegetation, typically at least 66 feet wide, designed to protect homes and structures.

These may also be implemented as broader landscape treatments within wildland areas between homes in a community. All treatments should be placed in strategic locations across the property to maximize effectiveness. The following requirements apply to all treatment options: Treatments will be subject to post-inspections to ensure compliance with these guidelines.

Each treatment must be a minimum of 66 feet wide. All resulting debris—including dead woody material, cut limbs, and brush—must be either removed from the property or mechanically reduced. Mature native Texas trees that remain must have their lower branches pruned (limbed up) or reduced to limit ladder fuels.

Burning of any kind is not allowed under this grant and will result in disqualification. Hand-cutting Treatment ($750/Acre) Vegetation and trees are removed, thinned, pruned, or cut using hand tools only —such as shears, pole saws, and chainsaws. Hand-cut fuel breaks are typically placed in strategic locations like property lines, access roads, or between unmanaged wildland areas and maintained landscapes.

Heavy Equipment Treatment ($2,000/Acre) Trees and other vegetation are thinned or reduced using a forestry mulcher (masticator) and/or other heavy equipment to disrupt continuous fuels and reduce wildfire spread. Combination Treatment ($1,500/Acre) Vegetation is removed or thinned using hand tools, a forestry mulcher (masticator), or other heavy equipment, depending on site conditions and treatment objectives.

Reimbursement per recipient This grant is intended as a cost-share program and funds may not cover 100% of project expenses. All work must be completed by a contractor hired by the landowner. The selected contractor must not be affiliated with the landowner, and the landowner may not perform the work themselves.

Any work completed prior to the required pre-inspection will not be eligible for reimbursement. Applicants may select only one of the three treatment options per application. However, landowners are allowed to submit multiple applications for different project locations and/or treatment types.

Multiple applications may be approved, but treatment areas on separate applications must not overlap. The maximum total reimbursement per landowner is $20,000.

Grant recipients will be reimbursed for actual costs up to the following limits: $750 per acre for hand-cut treatments $1,500 per acre for combined hand-cut and heavy equipment treatments $2,000 per acre for heavy equipment treatments Reimbursable costs are limited to those expenditures listed on a contractor’s invoice that are directly related to fuel reduction actions that create defensible space around a structure, the installation of the fuel breaks to protect structures, and/or the rental of equipment that is directly related to the fuel reduction activities or installation of the fuel break.

The purchase of equipment is not reimbursable. Invoices paid in full are required documentation prior to reimbursing actual costs. This is a competitive grant, with selections based on how well the project aligns with the goal of reducing wildfire risk to homes.

The online application period for the 2026 Mechanical Fuel Reduction grant will be open from June 1 through July 14. Applications will be reviewed by staff and approved or declined based on the intent of the grant. Notification letters will be emailed to applicants by late August.

Please note that approval is not guaranteed, regardless of previous years’ outcomes. Complete all questions on the online application to be considered. Create a map of the proposed project area displaying property owner’s boundary, location of proposed fuel treatment or fuel break, dimensions of treatment, and landowner name with aerial imagery as map background.

An incomplete map may result in disqualification. To create a map, use Map My Property . Submit contractor information and an estimate of the cost of service.

The last section of the online application will help calculate the estimated reimbursement using the entered project type and dimensions. If you need assistance finding a contractor, use the My Land Management Connector . Pictures of the landscape, topography, and overall vegetation may be submitted for consideration.

If approved, the approval letter will include a W‑9 Tax Form, a Terms and Conditions Form, and a copy of the submitted application. These documents must be signed and returned via email by Sept. 18, 2026.

Note: A Direct Deposit Form will be provided as an option for those who prefer to receive their reimbursement payment electronically. A signed application with current contractor information is required. Contractor changes may only be permitted under extenuating circumstances.

If a contractor change is approved, a new signed application must be submitted with the updated contractor’s information. Once all required documents are received, the landowner will be emailed to schedule a pre-inspection with agency staff. Work may not begin until the pre-inspection is completed.

Any work started prior to the pre-inspection will not be eligible for reimbursement. During the pre-inspection, we will take photos, verify the dimensions of your project, and answer any remaining questions about the grant process. If the contractor declines or fails to complete the work by the deadline, then the applicant may re-apply the following grant cycle.

This is only available on the first occurrence. Failing to complete the work two years in a row will result in automatic disqualification the third cycle/year. All debris generated from the project must be removed from the property or dispersed as mulch or chips.

Burning of any kind is not allowed under this grant and will result in disqualification. If any debris generated from this project is left on landowner’s property, we may not cover reimbursement. The hired contractor will have until the end of April 2027 to complete all the work.

If all work is not completed by the end of April 2027, the landowner can be reimbursed for the acreage that was completed. The landowner may also apply again next year for any acreage missed. No extensions will be granted.

After the contractor completes their work, the landowner will contact us to schedule a post-inspection visit which will verify any work completed. The post-inspection will calculate acreage and verify dimensions were met in the approved location. After the post-inspection, the landowner must submit their receipts and invoices for reimbursement.

Invoices must have the project address and county, description of work conducted, acreage completed, and show the balance paid in full or zero balanced to be reimbursed. Once the post‑inspection is complete and all reimbursement forms have been submitted, we will process the documentation. Reimbursements issued by direct deposit typically take 3–4 weeks, while mailed checks may take 4–6 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions Can you apply for both Hand-cutting to Create Defensible Space and Hand-cut/Mulched Fuel Break? Only one treatment is allowed per application. However, landowners may submit multiple applications, as long as treatment areas do not overlap.

Each application will be reviewed and prioritized individually based on how well it aligns with program goals and available funding. What happens if your contractor withdraws after your signed application has been submitted? A signed application with current contractor information is required.

If you need to change contractors after submitting your application, please email us to request approval. If approved, a new signed application with the updated contractor’s information will be required. If your contractor withdraws or fails to complete the work by the deadline, you may reapply in the next grant cycle—but only once.

Failure to complete the project two years in a row will result in automatic disqualification in the third year. If a contractor leaves debris on-site, can the landowner be reimbursed for its removal? Reimbursement will not be issued until all debris is either removed from the property or mechanically reduced to chips.

This will be verified during the post-treatment inspection. What expenses are eligible for reimbursement? Only expenses listed on the contractor’s invoice that are directly related to fuel reduction for defensible space, fuel break installation, or equipment rental for those activities are reimbursable.

Equipment purchases are not eligible. Invoices must include the total acreage treated and show the balance paid in full or zero balance; the project address and county; and a description of work performed. What if the contractor cannot complete all the acreage by the April deadline?

If the work is not completed by the end of April 2027, the landowner may be reimbursed for the portion of acreage that was completed. What if I complete more acreage than originally approved? Reimbursement is limited to the acreage or maximum amount approved in your acceptance letter.

Additional work beyond the approved scope will not be reimbursed. What if I want to change my treatment type after my application has been accepted? If you wish to change the treatment method, project location or dimensions, or the approved reimbursement amount, you must reapply during the next grant cycle with the updated information.

Once the acceptance letter and signed documents are submitted, only the contractor may be changed. What if I turn in an incomplete map that does not have all the requirements? Your application may not fulfill all the necessary requirements and there is a possibility that your application will not be approved.

Can I submit more than one application? Individual landowners may submit more than one application per different project location. Landowners may be approved for more than one application, but each application will be reviewed individually and prioritized for funding based on best use of the available funding to meet program goals.

Will prior work be accepted? No, work completed prior to pre-inspections will not be accepted nor will it be reimbursed. How were the eligible counties determined?

Eligible counties were specified by the federal grant awarded to Texas A&M Forest Service to fund this program. Eligible counties may change annually based on the funding source. How are the applications scored?

Applications will be evaluated using a scoring matrix that prioritizes wildfire mitigation factors, including: Designation as a Firewise USA® Site Number of homes protected Creation of defensible space Alignment with Community Wildfire Protection Plans Why is debris burning not an acceptable debris removal method in this grant program? Debris burning is one of the leading causes of wildfires in Texas.

While it can be done safely in certain areas, it is not permitted under this grant program due to the short timeframe, time of year, and proximity to populated areas. Additionally, Texas A&M Forest Service procedures require that any burning conducted through our grant programs be performed by a Texas Department of Agriculture–Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager.

This protects landowners from liability in case of an escaped fire. However, hiring these certified professionals for debris burning is currently difficult and cost-prohibitive. If your contractor plans to burn debris from the fuel reduction project, your application will be ineligible, and the grant will be forfeited.

Eligibility map (external link) Need additional information? We’re here to help!