Community Wildfire Defense Grants
The Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG) are intended to help at-risk local communities with planning and mitigating against the threat of wildfire near homes and structures. The grants are funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and last for five years.
There are two primary project types for which the grant provides funding:
- The development and revision of Community Wildfire Protection Plans.
- The implementation of projects described in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that is less than ten years old.
Communities in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, are low income, and/or have been impacted by a severe disaster are eligible to apply. To figure out if your community is eligible, use the following US Forest Service dashboard: Community Wildfire Defense Grants
Additional information about CWDG:
Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program | US Forest Service (usda.gov)
Community Wildfire Protection Plans
Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) are a public planning process and document that create a roadmap for their community to become adapted to living with wildfires, and to be more resilient if a wildfire affects their community. They have an action plan that identifies the most important projects for residents and professionals to accomplish to reduce wildfire risk.
Creating a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (FEMA)
CWPP Evaluation Guide (oregon.gov)
Additional community links about wildfire risk:
Understand Risk - Wildfire Risk to Communities
Northeast-Midwest Wildfire Risk Portal
For more information on CWDG and CWPP, contact Kelsey Zaengle with the Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation.