Community Wildfire Defense Grant

The Community Wildfire Defense Grant program is a major funding initiative created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities address growing wildfire risks. While the funding originates at the federal level, the program is administered at the state level through agencies such as the Oregon Department of Forestry, which coordinates application access, outreach, and technical assistance. The program provides substantial financial resources distributed annually to support communities that are vulnerable to wildfire hazards, with an emphasis on both preparedness planning and on the ground mitigation activities. The program is structured around two primary objectives. The first is to support the development or revision of Community Wildfire Protection Plans, which are formal planning documents used by communities to assess wildfire risk and prioritize mitigation strategies. The second objective is to fund implementation projects that are directly tied to existing plans. These projects can include activities such as vegetation management, fuel reduction, defensible space creation, and infrastructure improvements that reduce wildfire exposure and improve response readiness. By linking funding to these plans, the program ensures that investments are strategic and aligned with locally identified risks. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities representing communities at risk of wildfire. These include local governments such as cities and counties, nonprofit organizations, homeowner associations, federally recognized Tribes, and state forestry agencies. The program is designed to be inclusive of different organizational structures that serve communities, and prioritization is given to areas with high or very high wildfire hazard potential, low income populations, or communities that have experienced a severe disaster within the past ten years. This prioritization framework helps direct funding toward areas with the greatest vulnerability and need. Applications are submitted through an online grants portal when funding rounds are open. Applicants must obtain a unique application link for each proposal, typically provided through the administering state agency. The application process requires submission of a detailed proposal outlining the project scope, alignment with a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and expected outcomes. Supporting documentation is essential, particularly for implementation projects, which must be based on plans that meet recency requirements. Applicants are encouraged to consult program guidance documents and work with state level contacts to ensure compliance with all requirements. Funding levels vary significantly depending on the type of project being proposed. Planning grants for Community Wildfire Protection Plans can reach up to two hundred fifty thousand dollars, while implementation grants can be substantially larger, with awards up to ten million dollars. Cost sharing is required for both tracks, with planning projects requiring a ten percent non federal match and implementation projects requiring a twenty five percent non federal match. However, underserved communities may qualify for match waivers, which reduces barriers to participation and increases equity in access to funding. The program operates through periodic funding rounds. A recent application round closed in late February 2025, with award announcements expected in the summer of that year. Future rounds are anticipated, including a potential round opening in late 2025 depending on available funding. This indicates that the program is recurring, although specific timelines may vary between cycles. Funded projects are generally expected to be completed within a five year period, allowing adequate time for both planning and implementation activities. Applicants can access additional resources such as fact sheets, notices of funding opportunity, and pre award guidance documents to support their submissions. Direct assistance is available through designated program contacts at the state level, including email and phone support. Overall, the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program represents a significant investment in wildfire resilience, enabling communities to both plan for and implement strategies that reduce wildfire risk and protect lives, property, and natural resources.

Prioritize projects in high wildfire hazard areas, low income communities, or recently disaster impacted areas to align with funding priorities