Wildfire defensible space · Texas

Texas A&M Forest Service Mechanical Fuel Reduction Grant

Run by Texas A&M Forest Service

SeasonalPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Reimbursement of actual costs up to $750 per acre hand-cutting, $1,500 per acre combination, $2,000 per acre mulcher/masticator
Maximum
$20,000 per household
Who qualifies
Private landowners in eligible counties; applications scored on wildfire risk (Firewise USA status, fuel, burn probability, homes protected, CWPP alignment).
Where
Private landowners in eligible Central, South, West and Northwest Texas counties; the eligible county map changes yearly.
Status
Seasonal. 2026 window (June 1-July 14, 2026) closed; next opens June 1, 2027.
Type of payment
Cost share
Official program page

What you do

Hire a contractor to hand-cut, chip or mulch brush to create defensible space or fuel breaks.

Requirements

  • Landowner-hired unaffiliated contractor; owner cannot do the work
  • Pre-inspection before any work (earlier work not reimbursed)
  • Treatment at least 66 feet wide
  • Debris removed or mechanically reduced; burning disqualifies
  • Mature native trees limbed up/reduced
  • Post-inspection and paid-in-full invoices
  • One treatment type per application, no overlapping applications

The plan or design it asks for

Property map (Map My Property tool) with boundaries, treatment location and dimensions, owner name and aerial imagery; contractor info and cost estimate.

Make the plan in Sow

Draw the layout and build the plant list

Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check Texas A&M Forest Service's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Apply online only during the window (email/mail/fax not accepted)
  2. 2Create the property map
  3. 3Provide contractor information and estimate
  4. 4Receive notification (late August in 2026 cycle)
  5. 5Return signed W-9 and Terms (Sept 18 in 2026 cycle)
  6. 6Pre-inspection, contractor work, post-inspection, submit paid invoices

Timing and deadlines

Notification by late August; work due end of April; reimbursement 3-4 weeks direct deposit or 4-6 weeks by check

Next application window opens June 1, 2027

Combining it with other programs

not published

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs

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