USDA commits $200 million to community wildfire defense projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $200 million in 58 projects designed to reduce wildfire risks in vulnerable communities, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said on September 23.

The funding, provided through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program, will support communities in 22 states and two tribes. Projects include developing or updating wildfire protection plans and removing hazardous or overgrown vegetation that can fuel fires threatening homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

“These grants are about putting real resources directly in the hands of the people who know their lands and communities best,” Rollins said. “By empowering them, we are protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure while securing the future of our great American landscape.”

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz emphasized the need for cooperation in tackling wildfire threats. “No single organization can address the severe wildfire threats we face today,” he said. “For those communities that already have plans in place, these investments will enable immediate, collaborative action.”

The Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program is a five-year, $1 billion initiative to assist at-risk communities, including tribal governments, nonprofits, state forestry agencies, and Alaska Native corporations. The grants target areas in the wildland-urban interface that face high fire hazards, have been impacted by disasters, or are classified as low-income.

The USDA Forest Service will announce a fourth funding round later this year.

The program, created with input from states and tribes, supports the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, which seeks to maintain resilient landscapes, develop fire-adapted communities, and ensure effective wildfire response. Proposals undergo competitive review by panels including state forestry officials, tribal representatives, and other partners.

Details on funded projects and upcoming opportunities are available on the Community Wildfire Defense Grants website.