Federal Funds Available for Wildfire Relief

Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program

Using a Community Wildfire Defense Grant for Sprinkler and Pump Projects

Wildfires pose a serious threat to homes, neighborhoods, and entire communities, especially those in wildfire-prone areas like the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). To combat this, the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program, offered by the USDA Forest Service, provides funding for wildfire prevention and mitigation projects.

The grant goes to communities, not to individual homeowners. Local governments, tribes, nonprofits (including homeowner associations) and state forestry agencies can apply on behalf of a neighborhood or town. For a WUI community thinking about exterior sprinklers and wildfire pumps, the grant can help in two ways.

What the CWDG Can Pay For

Creating or updating a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), the plan that maps your community's risk, water sources and priorities.
Carrying out projects that are described in a CWPP. If wildfire sprinkler systems or water pumps for homes and shared buildings are part of your plan, they can be part of a project request.

The CWDG program gives priority to communities with high wildfire risk, low-income communities, and communities hit by a severe disaster in recent years. The rules, deadlines and cost-share change with each funding round, so check the current notice from the Forest Service before you plan a project.

How a Neighborhood Can Get Started

Find out whether your area already has a CWPP. Your county or local fire district usually knows.
If sprinklers or pumps are not in the plan yet, talk to whoever maintains it about adding them.
Find an eligible applicant, such as your county, fire district, tribe or homeowner association, to lead the application.
Gather what a project needs: which homes, the water source (well, tank or pond), the power available, and the area each system should cover.

Working with Your Community

If you're exploring a sprinkler or pump project for your neighborhood, we can help you work out the equipment details for your plan or application. Together, we can:

Develop tailored solutions for your area.
Work out the water, power and equipment details a grant project needs.
Create a safer environment for your family, neighbors, and first responders.

Let's Build a Safer Future Together

The CWDG is a real opportunity for WUI communities to take proactive steps in protecting homes and neighborhoods from wildfires. If you have ideas or questions, please reach out.

Community Wildfire Defense Grant program (USDA Forest Service)