CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants Program

CAL FIRE has released the FY 2025–26 Wildfire Prevention Grants Program under Proposition 4 to support projects that reduce wildfire risk and improve community resilience across California. The program will provide funding for projects that protect wildfire-threatened communities through hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention planning, and wildfire prevention education.

Program Priorities

Projects will be evaluated based on their ability to reduce wildfire risk to people, structures, and communities, with additional priority given to projects that benefit disadvantaged or low-income communities, demonstrate greenhouse gas reduction or carbon benefits, leverage matching or partner funding, support Fire Risk Reduction Communities, or maintain existing fuels reduction investments. Proposition 4 also requires that at least 40% of available funding directly benefit vulnerable or disadvantaged communities.

Eligible Project Types and Activities. 
The Wildfire Prevention Grants Program funds three types of activities: Hazardous Fuels Reduction, Wildfire Prevention Planning, and Wildfire Prevention Education. Below are some examples:

Hazardous Fuels Reduction

• Creation or maintenance of fuel breaks in strategic locations
• Maintenance of existing fuels reduction projects
• Creation of community-level wildfire prevention programs, such as community chipping days and green waste programs
• Projects to improve compliance with defensible space requirements
• Seasonal and temporary prescribed grazing
• Removal of dead, dying, diseased, or otherwise hazardous trees 

Wildfire Prevention Planning

• Wildfire risk or related mapping
• Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP)
• Evacuation plans
• Wildfire Prevention or Mitigation Plans
• Local Hazard Mitigation Plans 

Wildfire Prevention Education

• Development and implementation of public education and outreach programs
• Workshops, meetings, and educational materials focused on wildfire resilience
• Defensible space education and training
• Community education to reduce wildfire risk and improve preparedness

For additional program information, eligibility requirements, and application materials, please visit the CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants Program website.

Key Project Details
Application deadline: July 8, 2026 
Project performance period: Up to 3 years 
Recommended funding amount: $950,000 or less 
Cost share/match: Matching funds are not required but will receive additional priority consideration