Washington DNR Cost-Share Assistance
Reduce out-of-pocket wildfire mitigation & forest health costs. Eligible landowners may qualify for Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cost-share funding—often covering up to 50% of approved treatment expenses. We help you understand eligibility, align scope with program goals and document work properly. Kevin Gow provides hands-on navigation through each phase.
Estimate your reimbursement instantly
Use our free calculator to see how much DNR may cover for your forest health project.
Open Cost-Share Calculator →Program Purpose & Forest Resilience
Washington DNR administers forest health and wildfire risk reduction initiatives aimed at lowering hazardous fuel accumulations, improving stand structure, decreasing crown fire potential and enhancing long-term ecosystem resilience. Cost-share funding helps private landowners implement treatments sooner—reducing risk to homes, infrastructure and neighboring forest stands while supporting landscape-scale resilience goals.
Properly executed forestry mulching, ladder fuel removal, selective thinning and defensible space enhancement work together to disrupt ignition pathways and moderate fire behavior. Cost-share programs prioritize treatments that meaningfully reduce wildfire spread probability and improve firefighter defensibility while retaining ecological value.
Typical Eligible Treatment Categories
- Non-commercial thinning — Removing small-diameter, suppressed, or overstocked trees to improve crown spacing and stand vigor.
- Pruning — Limb lifting conifers 6–10 ft above ground to break vertical fuel continuity and reduce crown fire risk.
- Brush removal — Clearing ladder fuels, invasive shrubs, and undesirable understory vegetation that carries surface fire to canopy.
- Slash disposal — Chipping, mulching, or piling treatment residue to prevent cleared material from becoming new fuel loads.
- Prescribed burns — Controlled burning of slash piles or broadcast areas when conditions and permits allow.
- Defensible space creation — Zone-based vegetation modification around structures, aligning with NFPA and Firewise standards.
Owner Benefits
- Lower net cost for essential mitigation
- Accelerated implementation window
- Improved property wildfire resilience & safety
- Enhanced forest health & structural diversity
- Support for responsible stewardship & regional fire adaptation
How We Support You
- Initial phone / site discussion to gauge eligibility factors
- On-site assessment & treatment prescription alignment
- Documentation (photos, scope notes, treatment map if needed)
- Coordinated implementation with program-aligned methods
- Completion validation & optional future maintenance planning
Eligibility Considerations
Eligibility varies based on parcel size, forest condition, fuel hazard rating, proximity to wildland-urban interface zones, prior treatments, ecological objectives and current funding availability. Some areas or treatments may be prioritized based on regional strategic planning or emerging risk factors.
We do not guarantee approval—final determinations rest with administering agencies. Our role is to align realistic, effective treatment scope with program standards to improve application clarity and outcomes.
Am I Eligible for DNR Cost-Share?
Walk through these steps to get a quick sense of whether your property may qualify. Final eligibility is determined by the administering agency.
- Is your property in Washington State? The DNR cost-share program applies to Washington landowners. If your property is in Idaho, contact the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) for similar programs.
- Is your property under 5,000 acres? There is no minimum acreage requirement — even small residential parcels can qualify. Properties up to 5,000 acres are eligible for small forest landowner assistance.
- Does your property have forest health issues? Qualifying conditions include overstocked stands, heavy fuel accumulation, fire damage, insect or disease pressure, and degraded defensible space around structures.
If you answered yes to all three, your property is likely eligible. Call Kevin to schedule a free site review and start the alignment process.
Treatment Methods & Standards
We emphasize low-soil-disturbance mechanical reduction (dedicated mulching equipment), selective retention of desirable tree species, spacing adjustments to reduce crown continuity, suppression of ladder fuels, and appropriate handling of invasive brush. Mulch depth is managed to retain moisture while avoiding excessive matting. Treatments complement—not replace—ongoing maintenance.
Documentation & Reporting
Where helpful we capture before / during / after condition photographs, outline species composition changes, and note fuel continuity adjustments. This supports transparency, stewardship tracking and potential future follow-up phases.
Related Services
Cost-share supported treatments often integrate with holistic forestry mulching passes, targeted defensible space upgrades and phased lot clearing or access work. We help prioritize sequencing for maximum hazard reduction value per budget dollar. Use our cost-share calculator to estimate your reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my project cost does DNR cover?+
The Washington DNR cost-share program typically reimburses up to 50% of approved treatment expenses for eligible wildfire mitigation and forest health work.
Do I need DNR approval before starting work?+
Yes. All cost-share projects must receive written approval from DNR before any work begins. Starting work before approval disqualifies the project from reimbursement.
What property size qualifies for DNR cost-share?+
Non-federal landowners with up to 5,000 acres of forested property in Washington are eligible. This includes individuals, families, tribes, non-profits, and local governments.
Can forestry mulching be covered under DNR cost-share?+
Yes. Forestry mulching qualifies as a mastication or mechanical fuel treatment under the program. It is commonly used for non-commercial thinning, brush removal, and slash disposal.
How long must I maintain cost-share treated areas?+
Cost-share recipients are required to maintain treated areas in viable condition for 15 years. This typically means periodic light maintenance to prevent fuel buildup.