At-risk communities were encouraged to apply for Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG). This competitive grant program, funded by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, helps communities plan for and mitigate wildfire risks.
USDA’s CWDG program helps communities reach the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy goals of:
- Restoring and Maintaining Landscapes: Landscapes across all jurisdictions are resilient to fire-related disturbances, in accordance with management objectives.
- Creating Fire Adapted Communities: Human populations and infrastructure can better withstand a wildfire without loss of life and property.
- Improving Wildfire Response: All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient risk-based wildfire management decisions.
Table of Contents
Eligible Applicants & Land
- Units of local governments representing communities located in an area with a risk of wildfires
- Indian Tribes (please apply through either the Indian Tribes/Alaska Native Corporations specific notice or the applicable regional notice)
- Non-profit organizations including homeowner associations that assist such communities
- State forestry agencies (including U.S. territories and interests)
- Alaska Native Corporations (please apply through either the Indian Tribes/Alaska Native Corporations specific notice or the applicable regional notice)
- This grant only applies to non-federal lands
Application Period Now Closed
Last date to request access to the online application: October 30, 2023 by 5pm PST
Final date to request submission of final application: October 31, 2023 by 5pm PST
Idaho Department of Lands last date to submit applications: November 8, 2023 by 5pm PST
IDL Community Wildfire Defense Grants Webinar
Links to Valuable Resources
USDA Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grants Webpage
FY2022 USDA Forest Service NOFO Instructions
Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity Instructions for all applicants in the western states.
Council of Western State Foresters CWDG Program Webpage
Read information about the CWDG program specific to western states.
USDA Forest Service Applicant Webinar Slides
USDA Forest Service Webinars on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal
CWDG Application Development Tool
Community Wildfire Defense Grant Risk Datasets
CWDG Quick Reference
IDL CWDG Program Contacts
Corrie Ivey
Grants Project Coordinator
(208) 666-8669
civey@idl.idaho.gov
Tyre Holfeltz
Wildfire Risk Mitigation Program Manager
(208) 666-8653
tholfeltz@idl.idaho.gov