Jefferson County just got a big boost from the federal government to help battle wildfires.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced it received a nearly $9.7 million grant to aid the county in wildfire mitigation efforts.

The Community Wildfire Defense Grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, totals $9.6 million and will be distributed over five years, according to a Thursday news release.

It will be used to support wildfire mitigation staff, purchase specialized equipment and safety gear, complete roadside vegetation mitigation projects, and provide homeowner incentives for creating defensible space and fireproofing homes.

Officials hope to expand wildfire education and outreach, invest in the Sustainable Lands and Safer Homes program, support training with local fire agencies and monitor completed mitigation projects to assess effectiveness.

JCSO acts as the coordinating agency between the multitude of fire departments in Jefferson County, which has a higher risk for wildfires compared to other counties in Colorado due to its location along the Front Range, which brings with it a high number of homes and high winds coming off the Rocky Mountains.

Wildfire risk is especially bad this year due to an ongoing drought and record-low snowpack.

Officials said the grant will also help support the countywide partnerships that include the many fire-protection districts, as well as federal and state agencies.

Sheriff Reggie Marinelli said in the release that the investment will allow the county to accelerate mitigation efforts and create a sustainable program for years to come.

“Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility, and this funding strengthens our ability to work alongside our partners and our residents to make our communities more resilient before the next wildfire occurs,” Marinelli said.