Arizona received nearly $8 million in stimulus funds from the U.S. Forest Service for hazardous fuels reduction and biomass projects.

“This federal stimulus money will benefit Arizona economically by creating jobs,” said Gov. Jan Brewer said in a released statement. “It will benefit the state environmentally by reducing wildfire risk near our communities and improving the health of forested state, tribal and privately owned land.”

The funds were allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Projects were selected through a competitive process by the U.S. Forest Service and based on economic and unemployment factors, as well as wildfire risk and forest health need. The Arizona State Forestry Division applied for the grant money on behalf of community partners.

The following projects are being funded:

• Hazardous Fuels/Ecosystem Restoration Groom Creek/Crown King Fire Districts, Yavapai County: hazardous fuels treatment, 200 acres, $179,000.

• Show Low Fire Department, Navajo County: hazardous fuels treatment, 200 acres, $112,000.

• Government Canyon-Lynx Creek, city of Prescott: wood to energy production, 200 acres state land and 75 acres, $449,000.

• White Mountain Apache Tribe Forest Restoration, Apache County: hazardous fuels treatment, 2,500 acres; erosion control, 5,000 acres, $4.49 million.

• White Mountain Apache Tribe Nursery Development and Ecosystem Restoration, Apache County: 5,000 acres, $2.24 million.