03/31/2026
RMEF Commits $3 Million to Wildfire Restoration
MISSOULA, Mont. — Continuing important work to rehabilitate quality big game habitat destroyed by wildfire, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will contribute up to $3 million toward wildfire restoration efforts over the next three years. The commitment follows more than $3.3 million in RMEF funding since 2021 for 52 wildfire rehabilitation efforts in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, which leveraged more than $11 million in partner contributions.
“From the Southeast to the Pacific Northwest and into Alaska, 2025 was a devastating year for wildfires across the United States,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “As we brace for another year of potentially disastrous wildfires, RMEF is committed to reducing the impact catastrophic fires have on our wildlife populations by funding restoration work on priority big game landscapes.”
A new report from the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) shows 77,850 fires charred 5,131,474 acres in 2025, claiming human lives and destroying thousands of structures while decimating forest stands, grasslands and wildlife habitat. There were roughly 10,000 more wildfires in 2025 than in 2024, with the NICC’s Southern Geographic Area accounting for the highest number at 48 percent of the year’s total. The six largest wildfires occurred in Western states and Alaska, and all involved more than 110,000 acres.
RMEF funding will help implement a variety of wildfire rehabilitation projects to improve critical winter, summer and transitional wildlife habitat. Seeding burned areas promotes the return of native vegetation beneficial to big game, while treating for invasive weeds prevents the establishment and spread of undesirable plants. Aspen restoration aids in the recovery of stands used by elk, mule deer and other wildlife for forage and cover. Reinstalling and repairing water developments, such as guzzlers, destroyed by wildfire ensures big game will again have places to drink in arid country. Replacing damaged livestock fencing with wildlife-friendly designs or virtual fencing helps big game move more freely during migrations.
“Healthy forests produce healthy elk,” said Jennifer Doherty, RMEF managing director of mission operations. “Post catastrophic wildfire treatments directly enhance big game habitat and health of the herds through improved body fat, pregnancy and calf survival.”
In addition to wildfire restoration, RMEF is committed to active forest management projects that address overly dense timber stands and dead downfall, prolific growth of ladder fuels and increased encroachment of conifers on grasslands—all of which can lead to large, uncharacteristic wildfires. Scientific research affirms the beneficial impact of prescribed burns and forest thinning, and RMEF supports these and other treatments that restore forest health and resiliency to lessen the destruction caused by wildfires.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Now in its fifth decade of Conserving America’s Big Game,™ RMEF will extend its impact on habitat and public land access to 10 million acres by 2030. RMEF conserves and enhances habitat for elk and a variety of big game, opens and improves access for hunting and other outdoor recreation, conducts science-based wildlife research and ensures the future of our hunting heritage through advocacy, outreach and education. Members, volunteers and supporters nationwide help RMEF further its mission. Find out more and join the movement at rmef.org or 800-CALL-ELK.
RMEF is the premiere big game conservation organization in the United States.
