Federal grant programs / Department of the Interior

National Fire Plan-Wildland Urban Interface Community Fire Assistance (15.674)

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$24.3 million
• Grant awards34
• Typical award$463,039
• Awarded in FY 2025$1.4 million
• Size rank1,251 of 1,823
• Type of assistanceCooperative agreements (discretionary grants), use of property, facilities, and equipment, provision of specialized services, advisory services and counseling, dissemination of technical information, training

Key findings

• Annual funding rose from $110,000 in fiscal 2021 to $1.4 million in fiscal 2025.
• It is the 1251st largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 94% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 15 states and territories.

What the program funds

Support the implementation of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and assist at-risk communities from catastrophic wildfires, this initiative provides assistance in the following areas: development and enhancement of local programs focused on risk assessment, planning, training, mitigation activities, and community and homeowner education; planning and execution of fuels management reduction activities aimed at reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires to communities and natural resources in high-risk areas, including associated monitoring and maintenance efforts on federal and adjacent non-federal land; increasing employment opportunities for local and small businesses in rural communities; and delivering education and training to improve the fire protection capabilities and knowledge of rural fire districts. Additionally, authorized restoration services under this section may be provided. All federal land within timber sale projects conducted under this authority shall be included. Projects that include a cost-sharing component or in-kind services will be prioritized for selection. Planning and implementation of fuels management reduction activities aimed at mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildfire to communities and natural resources in high risk areas, including associated monitoring or maintenance, on federal land and/or on adjacent nonfederal land; Enhancement of local and small business employment opportunities for rural communities; and providing education and training focused on increasing knowledge and fire protection capability of rural fire districts. Projects that include a cost-share or service in-kind contribution will have priority for selection.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

Open opportunities

No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.

Rules from the program listing

Who can apply

State and local governments and communities at risk and communities of interest, as published in the Federal Register/Vol. 66, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2001 or updated Governor-signed list, Indian Tribes, private land owners, public and private education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that manage lands. All selectees must be identified as significant to FWS, deemed by a cooperative agreement, memorandum of understanding, and/or part of an interagency agreement that serves as a clearinghouse for HFR assistance monies. For mitigation activities (projects that are removing hazardous fuels) all work funded must be identified from a signed CWPP or CWPP/E or will be signed by expected funding date.

What the money can and cannot pay for

GIS analysis, outreach and education efforts, and other general support associated with fuels management and risk reduction activities; and increasing the effectiveness of wildland urban interface fire protection. In addition, FWS staff may be involved in project activities. FWS -involvement may include the provision of technical assistance, advising in the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans or equivalent. All projects selected must meet all applicable National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) laws. Funding levels vary across fiscal years and regions. For more information, please contact the announcing regional office fire program. Fuel reduction projects are restricted to those that protect both FWS Service managed (federal) lands and adjacent non-Federal land from the damaging effects of catastrophic wildfire. FWS will fund projects that support community-based efforts including, but not limited to: addressing defensible space and fuels management issues that reduce wildfire risk.;

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Deadlines

Jul 01, 2026 to Jul 01, 2026

Award range and average, in the agency's words

Range and average vary between fiscal years.

Examples of funded projects

Fiscal Year2025: Program funded projects that plan and implement fuels management reduction activities aimed at mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildfires to communities and natural resources in high-risk areas.Fiscal Year2026: Program anticipates funding projects that plan and implement fuels management reduction activities aimed at mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildfires to communities and natural resources in high-risk areas. This will also include treatment of insect and disease infected trees, hazardous fuels reduction, or any other activities to restore or improve forests, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat.

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Who usually wins

Nonprofits received 86% of the money, state and local governments 8.3% and businesses 2.7%.

By state

9 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.