USDA-FS-2024-COHESIVE-STRATEGY: Promoting Fire Resilient Landscapes and Communities

In a significant move to enhance fire resilience and safety, the U.S. Forest Service has announced the “Forest Service Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy RFA 2024” under the funding opportunity number USDA-FS-2024-COHESIVE-STRATEGY. This program, focusing on disaster prevention and relief along with natural resource management, seeks to implement the first two goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (NCS) in the Midwestern and Northeastern States. With an expected 25 awards, the initiative highlights the urgency of adopting a shared stewardship approach towards wildfire risk management. The funding, ranging from $25,000 to $300,000 per award, aims to fortify landscapes against fire-related disturbances and create fire-adapted communities, ensuring they can endure wildfires without catastrophic loss of life and property.

Eligibility for this grant extends to a diverse group including county and city governments, various nonprofit organizations, special district governments, state governments, Native American tribal governments, independent school districts, and public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. This broad eligibility spectrum reflects the Forest Service’s commitment to inclusive and comprehensive wildfire management strategies. The program underscores the need for strategic investments across landscapes, promoting resilience and safety in the face of increasing wildfire incidents. As the closing date for applications is set for January 16, 2024, eligible entities are encouraged to seize this opportunity to contribute significantly to the national effort of building fire-resilient communities and landscapes.