Wildfire

The intent of CAL FIRE's Forest Health Research Program is to fund scientific research that expands our knowledge in topics related to forest health and wildland fire. The outcomes of these projects will support agencies, organizations, landowners, and policy makers, while furthering the goals of the California Forest and Wildfire Resilience Action Plan and California Climate Investments.

Tribal Wildfire Resilience grants is part of CAL FIRE’s Climate and Energy Program and supports California Native American Tribes in managing ancestral lands, implementing and promoting Traditional Environmental Knowledges in wildfire resilience, and establishing wildfire safety for Tribal communities.

The 2024 Climate Bond invests $10 billion in local projects that strengthen communities — protecting drinking water, reducing wildfire and flood risks, restoring natural places, supporting healthy working lands, and expanding access to parks and outdoor spaces. The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) published a comprehensive list of all Prop 4 Climate Bond Programs. You can skim the list for potential funding that is relevant for your Tribe and visit the program pages for details. The TECC Team is checking each program for forecast opportunities and will be updating this tracker with them.

The Proposition 4 Wildfire Prevention & Firefighter Safety Grant Program is funded through the voter-approved $10 billion Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act. The California Fire Foundation (CFF) has been entrusted with $13.8 million of these funds to deploy directly to local fire departments, firefighter associations, nonprofit organizations, and partners across California. These grants are designed to strengthen firefighter safety, enhance community preparedness, and support proactive wildfire prevention at the local level.

Funding categories will include Firefighter Health & Safety, Specialized Firefighting Equipment, Vegetation and Fuels Management, and Public Education & Outreach. Grant awards may be available up to $1 million depending on project scope and impact. Eligible entities include: fire departments, firefighter associations, nonprofit organizations, and Tribal entities. The application period will be announced in Fall 2026.

The Leary Firefighters Foundation considers grant requests for training, equipment, and technology for fire departments, both paid and volunteer.

Nick Magoteaux, a former firefighter and officer for several southwest Ohio fire departments, started the nonprofit organization Brothers Helping Brothers when his co-worker and firefighting brother Art Springer, was hospitalized with the H1N1 virus. Originally Nick started a line of t-shirts to raise money for Art’s medical expenses. Unfortunately, Art passed away on January 23, 2014. The decision was made to continue the t-shirt campaign to raise money for Art’s daughter and, through various efforts, Nick and his firefighting brothers raised over $20,000. One of Art’s passions was making sure his brothers at the Phillipburg Fire Department had the proper tools, even if it was at his own expense. Brothers Helping Brothers raises funds to provide vital tools and equipment to small and rural fire departments in need.

The CPAW program offers free services to local communities to identify and implement projects that successfully reduce wildfire risk. CPAW collaborates with communities to develop site-specific recommendations.

The Firefighters Charitable Foundation (FFCF) was founded in 1991 to provide much needed financial assistance to individuals who have been affected by a fire or disaster and to support other charities, institutions, and volunteer fire departments.

To provide emergency equipment and training to first responder departments.

Project update from June 2026: The WSMART project has restarted for the 2026 wildfire season with limited scope of loaning Vehicle Add-on Mobile Monitoring Systems (VAMMS) to Air Resource Advisors only. If you are an Air Resource Advisor being deployed for wildfire response and would like to request equipment, please email SmokeTech@epa.gov.