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BlogOn July 31, the U.S. Forest Service announced that it is accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program. USFS will award up to $250 million in total funding to eligible applicants, including counties, for projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks and safeguarding vulnerable communities.USFS announces $250 million for wildfire risk reduction efforts
- USFS will invest up to $250 million in funding for wildfire risk reduction projects through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program
- The Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program empowers counties to protect both residents and the natural environment from the impacts of wildfire
- Counties stand ready to work with federal partners to ensure that these critical investments in forest health preserve our natural resources while respecting the needs of local communities
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Blog
USFS announces $250 million for wildfire risk reduction efforts
On July 31, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced that it is accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program. USFS will award up to $250 million in total funding to eligible applicants, including counties, for projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
The CWDG program empowers counties to bolster their resilience against wildfires, protecting both residents and the natural environment from potentially devastating impacts from wildfire and post-wildfire disasters. Eligible projects encompass wildfire protection planning, hazardous fuel reduction, fire prevention education, and emergency preparedness and response initiatives. By encouraging collaboration with local stakeholders, the program fosters a comprehensive approach to wildfire defense that is coordinated across an entire community.
Projects funded through the CWDG program will support USFS’ 10-Year Strategy to treat up to 20 million acres of national forests and grasslands and 30 million acres of other federal and non-federal lands to reduce wildfire risk to communities, infrastructure and natural resources. Last year, USFS awarded $197 million to 99 projects across 22 states through the CWDG program. CWDG program funding was made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which provided $8.25 billion in total funding for landscape management and wildfire risk reduction.
Counties are eligible to apply for CWDG funding for communities at risk to wildfire within their jurisdiction. Eligible counties may receive:
- Up to $250,000 for the creation or updating of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, subject to a 10 percent non-Federal match, or
- Up to $10 million for implementation of a project described under an existing Community Wildfire Protection Plan that is less than 10 years old, subject to a 25 percent non-Federal match.
County governments interested in applying for CWDG funding should follow the instructions in the Notices of Funding Opportunity specific to the county’s region, which can be found on grants.gov. A digital copy of the grant application can be found here for reference. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 31, 2023.
- West NOFO: USDA-FS-2023-CWDG-CWSF
- Southern NOFO: USDA-FS-2023-CWDG-SGSF
- Northeast/Midwest NOFO: USDA-FS-2023-CWDG-NEMW
Wildfire season is a year-round issue for public lands counties. Wildfires destroy public lands, endanger access to vital resources, decrease biodiversity, hinder economic opportunity, decimate municipal watersheds, and negatively impact public health and safety. County officials believe federal, state and local governments must work together to combat this growing threat to communities, livelihoods and the environment. Counties stand ready to work with federal partners like the USFS to ensure that these critical investments in forest health and resilience preserve our natural resources while respecting the needs of local communities.
On July 31, the U.S. Forest Service announced that it is accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program. USFS will award up to $250 million in total funding to eligible applicants, including counties, for projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks and safeguarding vulnerable communities.2023-08-03Blog2023-08-03
On July 31, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) announced that it is accepting applications for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program. USFS will award up to $250 million in total funding to eligible applicants, including counties, for projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
The CWDG program empowers counties to bolster their resilience against wildfires, protecting both residents and the natural environment from potentially devastating impacts from wildfire and post-wildfire disasters. Eligible projects encompass wildfire protection planning, hazardous fuel reduction, fire prevention education, and emergency preparedness and response initiatives. By encouraging collaboration with local stakeholders, the program fosters a comprehensive approach to wildfire defense that is coordinated across an entire community.
Projects funded through the CWDG program will support USFS’ 10-Year Strategy to treat up to 20 million acres of national forests and grasslands and 30 million acres of other federal and non-federal lands to reduce wildfire risk to communities, infrastructure and natural resources. Last year, USFS awarded $197 million to 99 projects across 22 states through the CWDG program. CWDG program funding was made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which provided $8.25 billion in total funding for landscape management and wildfire risk reduction.
Counties are eligible to apply for CWDG funding for communities at risk to wildfire within their jurisdiction. Eligible counties may receive:
- Up to $250,000 for the creation or updating of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, subject to a 10 percent non-Federal match, or
- Up to $10 million for implementation of a project described under an existing Community Wildfire Protection Plan that is less than 10 years old, subject to a 25 percent non-Federal match.
County governments interested in applying for CWDG funding should follow the instructions in the Notices of Funding Opportunity specific to the county’s region, which can be found on grants.gov. A digital copy of the grant application can be found here for reference. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 31, 2023.
- West NOFO: USDA-FS-2023-CWDG-CWSF
- Southern NOFO: USDA-FS-2023-CWDG-SGSF
- Northeast/Midwest NOFO: USDA-FS-2023-CWDG-NEMW
Wildfire season is a year-round issue for public lands counties. Wildfires destroy public lands, endanger access to vital resources, decrease biodiversity, hinder economic opportunity, decimate municipal watersheds, and negatively impact public health and safety. County officials believe federal, state and local governments must work together to combat this growing threat to communities, livelihoods and the environment. Counties stand ready to work with federal partners like the USFS to ensure that these critical investments in forest health and resilience preserve our natural resources while respecting the needs of local communities.

About Owen Hart (Full Bio)
Associate Legislative Director
Owen is an Associate Legislative Director at NACo and manages NACo's agriculture & rural affairs portfolio. He serves as the staff liaison to the Agriculture & Rural Affairs (AgRA) Steering Committee.More from Owen Hart
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Reports & Toolkits
Building Wildfire Resilience: A Land Use Toolbox for County Leaders
As county leaders across the nation grapple with wildfire risk and impact, expert practitioners and local leaders have developed a variety of tools and strategies to help mitigate wildfire impacts on lives, property and communities. -
Reports & Toolkits
Primer for Counties: 2023 Farm Bill Reauthorization
NACo's primer on the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization breaks down the process counties can expect this year, highlights key county priorities and explains how counties can access funds authorized through the Farm Bill.
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Blog
The County Countdown – September 26, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week. -
County News
Public lands champions visit Capitol Hill
County officials from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for federal public land policies, sharing stories with members of Congress of how the Payment in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools programs help counties fund essential services, including search and rescue operations, infrastructure and education. -
Blog
USDA announces $123 million in grant funding to support resilient local food systems
On August 21, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced a new round of funding for meat and poultry producers through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. -
Blog
NACo testifies on county role in combatting wildfires and forest management at U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing
On Friday, August 11, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing titled “Conservation in a Crown Jewel: A Discussion About Wildfire and Forest Management.” -
Blog
White House and USDA announce new Urban Service Centers and Urban County Committees
On July 21, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced 17 new Urban Service Centers and 10 new urban county committees. -
Webinar
Exploring Outdoor Recreation as a Component of Economic Diversification
Jul. 27, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmJoin the BRECC National Network for a conversation on outdoor recreation as a viable component to build a robust, diverse local economy. Learn more about research trends linked to outdoor recreation economic development, small business ecosystems and resources that could support coal communities.
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Conference
2023 RAC Symposium
November 5, 2023 – November 7, 2023Register now for the 2023 RAC Symposium, Nov. 5–7, in Greenbrier County, West Virginia!The Greenbrier Hotel101 Main Street, West, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986110511:00 am<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="color intro custom-color">
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Conference
2024 Western Interstate Region Conference
May 8, 2024 – May 10, 2024Save the date for the 2024 Western Interstate Region Conference Mariposa County, Calif. May 8-10Mariposa County, Calif.05088:00 am<p>Save the date for the 2024 Western Interstate Region Conference</p>
<p>Mariposa County, Calif.<br />
May 8-10</p>
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Basic page
TestIT: How Fast is Your Broadband
NACo has partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) to develop a mobile app designed to identify areas with low or no connectivity to help ensure adequate funding for broadband infrastructure is provided across the country.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out">
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Agriculture & Rural Affairs Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. Policy Platform 2023-2024 2023 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. </p>
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Public Lands Steering Committee
All matters relating to federally-owned public lands including federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes, and property tax immunity concerns.pagepagepage<p>All matters relating to federally-owned public lands including federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes, and property tax immunity concerns.
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Rural Action Caucus
The Rural Action Caucus (RAC) is a key component of NACo's mission in supporting county officials in the pursuit of excellence in public service. RAC is the voice for America's rural counties, which represent two-thirds of the nation's 3,069 counties designated as rural, serving a combined population of 60 million.pagepagepage<p><strong>Since 1997, the Rural Action Caucus (RAC) has represented the nearly 70 percent of America's counties that are rural, addressing critical federal, state and local issues impacting these unique communities.
Contact
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Associate Legislative Director(202) 942-4280
Related Posts
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BlogThe County Countdown – September 26, 2023Sep. 25, 2023
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County NewsPublic lands champions visit Capitol HillSep. 20, 2023
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BlogUSDA announces $123 million in grant funding to support resilient local food systemsAug. 30, 2023
Related Resources
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VideoCounties testify on our role in evolving federal land management challengesMar. 8, 2023
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VideoCounties testify on public lands management and the 2023 Farm BillMar. 8, 2023
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Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction ActFeb. 22, 2023
Related Events
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5Nov2023Conference
2023 RAC Symposium
Nov. 5, 2023 – Nov. 7, 2023The Greenbrier Hotel101 Main Street, West, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 -
8May2024Conference
2024 Western Interstate Region Conference
May. 8, 2024 – May. 10, 2024Mariposa County, Calif.
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