Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program

Utah’s Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is a participant in the Community Wildfire
Defense Grant (CWDG), which is a 5-year program funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law (BIL) and administered by the USDA Forest Service in partnership with state forestry
agencies. $5 billion has been allocated over 5 years to help communities at risk of wildfires fund
projects that support the three goals in the National Cohesive Strategy:

  1. Restoring and maintaining landscapes
  2. Creating fire-adapted communities
  3. Improving wildfire response

The program requires applications for projects that fit into two categories; 1) Develop or revise
a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) or 2) Implement a project identified within a
CWPP. Any entity can apply, including state agencies, counties, municipalities, NGO’s, Tribes
and HOA’s. This program is extremely competitive at the national level with emphasis on
communities at high fire risk as well as low-income and/or underserved communities. There are
tools available through the links below to assess your communities eligibility.

The CWDG program is entering its third year. Round two applications have been scored and
three applications from Utah were successful. There are two After Action Review Sessions
scheduled for applicants to gain more information and insight to the process and development
of a successful application.

Applicant Session #1 – Zoom Meeting Registration
Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 3 pm – 5 pm (EDT)/ 1 pm – 3 pm (MDT)

Applicant Session #2 – Zoom Meeting Registration
Monday, July 15, 2024, 4 pm – 6 pm (EDT)/ 2 pm – 4 pm (MDT)

Utah’s 2024 deadline for application submission will be announced in the next Notice of
Funding Opportunity which will likely open late in the summer or fall of 2024 and close
winter of 2024.

Links to helpful resources:

Point of Contact for Utah:
Paul Briggs
Statewide Grant Coordinator
801-247-3877
pbriggs@utah.gov