The Western States Fire Managers (WSFM) Grant Program, administered by the Idaho Department of Lands and funded by the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry branch, supports efforts to reduce wildfire risk in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) through competitive grants. The program emphasizes hazard fuel reduction, community education, wildfire preparedness planning, and effectiveness monitoring. Projects are intended to promote long-term wildfire resilience and must align with the priorities laid out in the Idaho Forest Action Plan.
To be eligible in Idaho, proposed projects must take place within a designated Priority Landscape Area (PLA) or Special Landscape Area (SLA). If located outside these areas, the project site must be classified as high wildfire risk under the Idaho Forest Action Plan. All proposals must also be explicitly listed in a current County Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), Hazard Mitigation Plan, or an equivalent strategy document. This ensures alignment with local and state fire management priorities and planning.
Eligible applicants include state, county, and local government entities, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and educational institutions. Individual landowners are not permitted to apply directly. This inclusive eligibility supports a range of collaborative, community-based wildfire mitigation projects.
The WSFM grant cycle follows an annual pattern, with requests for proposals typically released in the Fall or Winter and submissions due in late Winter or early Spring. For FY26, applications were accepted until March 7, 2025. The application packet required includes a signed acknowledgement form, project proposal form, budget guidelines, and the WSFM program criteria and instructions. Completed applications must be submitted via email.
Grant decisions are typically finalized in the fall following submission. Applicants are notified of funding outcomes in Fall 2026, and awarded entities enter into formal agreements with the Idaho Department of Lands shortly thereafter. Projects are then cleared to begin implementation. The grant provides up to $240,000 in funding per project, with a 1:1 cost match required. The program is expected to recur annually, with the next cycle anticipated in Winter 2026.
Competitive proposals clearly demonstrate alignment with Idaho’s Forest Action Plan and occur within high-risk wildfire areas or designated landscape priorities.
