Wyoming Governor Unveils Wildfire Recovery Guide to Aid Affected Communities

In a significant move to assist those affected by the devastating wildfires that swept across Wyoming this year, Governor Mark Gordon announced the release of the Wyoming Wildfire Recovery Guide during a gathering of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) in Casper on Tuesday night. The guide is designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for households, landowners, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations affected by the wildfires, aiming to streamline the process of obtaining federal relief. The governor's announcement comes in the wake of a challenging wildfire season, which saw more than 850,000 acres scorched across the state, with approximately 500,000 acres of that devastation occurring on private lands. This unprecedented situation has prompted the need for new disaster management strategies tailored specifically to the unique challenges faced by those on private property. During his address, Gov. Gordon emphasized the urgent need to provide assistance to affected residents, stating, “Historically, large wildfires have affected mostly federal lands, forests, and the Bureau of Land Management; but this year's fires overwhelmingly hit private lands. That is why we have had to look for new disaster management strategies that focus on repair and restoration.” The Wyoming Grants Management Office (GMO) will play a pivotal role in the recovery efforts, helping to identify and leverage federal funding opportunities for those impacted. The GMO has identified 18 federal funding programs, including grants and low-interest loans, which could provide much-needed support for various entities looking to recover and rebuild. Dru Palmer, the grants integration manager, reinforced the office's commitment to providing critical resources and capacity support to assist small businesses, nonprofits, and local governments throughout the grant application process. “The Governor's recently established Grants Management Office can provide critical resources and capacity support to small businesses, nonprofits, local governments, and state agencies to assist with the pursuit of federal funding opportunities,” Palmer stated. “At the request of the applicant, GMO stands ready to research, write, review, and help with the management of the entire grant lifecycle.” In a call to action, Gov. Gordon urged all those affected to seek assistance through the guide and the GMO. "It's important to do everything in our power to make certain those who need assistance know how and where to get it and to fully utilize the funds available to them," he said. To further explain the details of the Wyoming Wildfire Recovery Guide, a webinar is scheduled for December 18 from 9 to 10 a.m. The session will provide insights into the guide’s resources and how to navigate the recovery process. Interested participants are encouraged to register ahead of time to secure their spot for this informative session. For those seeking immediate support, the Wyoming Wildfire Recovery Guide is now available on the Grants Office website, marking a proactive step towards rebuilding and recovery for the communities affected by this year's wildfires. As the state moves forward, the focus remains on not only addressing the immediate needs of those impacted but also on fostering resilience against future wildfire threats.