Wildfire Preparation
National Programs & Toolkits
These platforms offer structured frameworks for organizing neighbors and local governments.
Firewise USA (NFPA): A recognition program that provides a six-step framework for neighbors to work together. It includes tools for conducting neighborhood risk assessments and creating multi-year action plans.
Ready, Set, Go! (IAFC): Managed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, this program empowers fire departments to lead community-wide education on home hardening and evacuation readiness.
Ready.gov Wildfire Toolkit: Provides outreach materials, social media assets, and emergency plan templates tailored for community leaders to share.
Planning & Technical Support
These resources help local officials and planners integrate fire safety into community design.
Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP): A collaborative process for local, state, and federal agencies to identify priority areas for fuel treatment and strategic risk reduction.
Wildfire Risk to Communities: An interactive tool from the USDA Forest Service that allows community leaders to map local risks and compare their vulnerability to other regions.
Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW): Provides pro bono technical assistance—including foresters and risk modelers—to help communities update land-use policies and building codes.
Grants & Funding (2025–2026)
Federal and state agencies offer financial assistance for large-scale mitigation projects.
Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG): Funded by the USDA Forest Service specifically to help at-risk communities develop or revise CWPPs and execute large mitigation projects.
FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants: Supports wildland-urban interface (WUI) projects, including public awareness campaigns and the adoption of fire-resilient building codes.
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day: An annual event (next held May 2, 2026) where the NFPA and State Farm offer $10,000 grants to local groups for one-day community safety projects.