In June 2019 the Sierra County Resource Conservation District (RCD) was awarded a $300,000 Tree Mortality Grant (TMG) through the California Fire Safe Council. TMG funds are made available through the US Forest Service. The goal of the project was to enlist private landowners within and adjoining the Sierra National Forest in developing defensible areas on their properties and within the WUI (Wildlands Urban Interface) that are strategically identified through the Fresno County Tree Mortality Task Force. The project is integrated into existing and planned fuel breaks and other fuel reduction efforts underway.