The Shelter Cove Fire Department was notified the first week of March that the U.S. Forest Service approved a fuel reduction project, which means the work can restart as soon as reimbursements are received. Last month, Shelter Cove Fire issued a stop work order on a massive fuels reduction project due to a federal funding review that halted payments for the work.

The $6.2 million grant from the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, a six-year program funded under former President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, paid for structure defense by cutting fuels in private lots in Shelter Cove, with the goal of protecting homes and residents from wildfire.

So far, contractors have done fuel reduction work for 80 structures in the community and were protecting about 40 structures a month, with aims to later work to clear vacant lots and greenbelt areas that surround the community, which is bordered by federal and state-owned forest land.

However, likely due to moves to align federal grants with President Donald Trump’s wide-reaching executive orders, the fire department was told last month the project was under review after attempting to get reimbursements for work. The department issued a stop work order on the project last month, hoping the funds would be approved later and the project could continue.

“We’re excited the money is being reinstated. We’re hoping to see those checks in the mail shortly to get those projects going,” said Shelter Cove Fire Chief Nick Pape on Friday.

He said they will restart the project once reimbursement checks have cleared, with some administrative catchup needed. Pape thanked the community for advocating for the project, as well as Rep. Jared Huffman and Supervisor Michelle Bushnell.

Sage Alexander can be reached at 707-441-0504.