Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG)

Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG) is sponsored by U.S. Forest Service. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program | US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG) help communities and Tribes plan for and reduce wildfire risk and implement the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy .

Launched in 2022, the $1 billion five-year competitive grant program funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act prioritizes communities that: Are in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, Have been impacted by a severe disaster within the previous 10 years which increased wildfire risk and/or hazard.

Develop and revise Community Wildfire Protection Plans Implement projects described in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that are less than ten years old 09/23/2025: USDA Invests in 58 Community Projects to Reduce Wildfire Risk In the third year of this opportunity, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service received 573 applications requesting more than $1. 6 billion.

Applications came from 40 states, three U.S. territories and 48 Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. Review panels made up of representatives from Tribes and state forestry agencies selected 58 proposals totaling $200 million. The awarded projects span 22 different states and two Tribes.

Year Three Selected Applicant Statistics The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58) established eligibility priorities for Community Wildfire Defense Grants. 100% met all three priorities of eligibility: High/very high wildfire hazard, impacted by a severe disaster.

View round 3 funded projects Keeping the lights on and the fires out in rural Montana Community Wildfire Defense Grants lower risk to homes and infrastructure. Going on the Offensive in the South Communities across the South are taking action now to mitigate against the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Grant paves the way for safer wildfire escape in rural central Washington.

A Blueprint for Fire Prevention Lake County California puts federal support to local action. Protecting the wires in the face of wildfire threats.