Bureau of Land Management invests in rural community wildfire programs

In a step to enhance wildfire preparedness and suppression capabilities, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) recently allocated $1.3 million through wildland fire management bureaus for firefighting equipment under the slip-on tanker pilot program. This investment, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), aims to support rural and underserved communities in mitigating the impacts of wildfires.  

Wildfires have become more frequent and severe in recent years, exacerbated by an abundance of fuels accumulation. The DOI slip-on tanker pilot program seeks to equip local firefighting units with the tools to combat these escalating threats. Slip-on tankers are mobile firefighting units that can be easily mounted on trucks, providing a flexible and efficient method to deliver water to remote areas where wildfires are most likely to ignite and spread. These modified fire engines are especially valuable in rural regions that can find a benefit in multiple uses of a vehicle chassis, that can accommodate the best function for the need. 

Funded through the BIL, the slip-on tanker pilot program is a direct response to the growing risk of wildfires across the U.S. The BIL, signed into law in November 2021, allows the DOI to allocate over $1 billion to address wildfire risk on public and Tribal lands. By channeling funds into wildfire prevention and firefighting efforts, the BLM and other department bureaus are reinforcing their commitment to protecting communities, natural resources, and local economies from the catastrophic effects of uncontrolled wildfires. 

Supporting North Tooele County, Utah to strengthen local firefighting capabilities 

In North Tooele County, Utah, a region known for its expansive rural areas, fast moving wildfires pose a persistent threat. The county’s fire program, staffed by a team of 33 dedicated firefighters, plays a vital role in protecting both local communities and vast public lands. Recognizing the coordination the county has with the BLM and other cooperators for wildland fire and emergency response, the North Tooele County Fire has been awarded a $93,000 grant to purchase three slip-on units increasing the fire programs capabilities. 

Local fire personnel in North Tooele County work closely with the BLM Utah West Desert District for initial attack response, and the funding to support the purchase of the units will allow the program to increase their response capabilities as well as modify their equipment as needed.   

Investing in wildfire resilience in Baker County, Oregon 

In Baker County, Oregon, where stretches of forest and grassland make the region highly susceptible to wildfires, the stakes are equally high. In recent years, Baker County has experienced increased fire activity, with thousands of acres burned and several communities forced to evacuate in 2024. The fire program in Baker City, Oregon, has been at the forefront of a multi-agency collaboration with the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and Oregon Department of Forestry since 2003, to enhance the county’s wildfire preparedness and response capabilities through public education and outreach, training, planning, and mutual aid response. 

Thanks to a $190,806 grant from the slip-on tanker program, Baker County Fire is poised to enhance its ability to fight wildfires and assist federal and state fire personnel with a purchase of five slip-on tanker units.  

With this new equipment, Baker County Fire will be better positioned to protect not only local residents and properties but also the county’s valuable natural resources, including its forests and rangelands that are vital to the local economy and environment. 

The awards to North Tooele County and Baker County are part of a broader national effort to bolster wildfire preparedness and resilience, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Through BIL, the BLM continue to make investments in programs that reduce wildfire risks, enhance response capabilities, and protect communities. 

In addition to funding the slip-on tanker program, BIL includes provisions for forest management, hazardous fuel reduction, and community fire preparedness planning. These initiatives are designed to complement the efforts of local firefighting units, ensuring that they have the resources and support necessary to effectively manage wildfire threats. 

In an effort to bolster the $1.3 million that has already been invested in local communities, the DOI is investing an additional $20 million to a second round of slip-on tanker awards. The press release announcing the second round and grant information can be located online at Biden-Harris Administration Announces $20 Million is Available to Strengthen Local Governments’ Wildfire Response | U.S. Department of the Interior.