The Valley Chronicle - T$30 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR REGIONAL WILDFIRE & LANDSCAPE RESILIENCE

Sacramento – As announced by California Governor Gavin Newsom today, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has made up to $30 million available through a new Regional Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Grant Program funded by the voter-approved Climate Bond (Proposition 4).

CAL FIRE is soliciting applications from regional collaboratives prepared to implement projects identified through transparent, data-informed prioritization processes that incorporate practitioner expertise and community input. The program aims to accelerate landscape-scale, regionally appropriate activities that are consistent with the Climate Bond’s goals to strengthen local capacity, improve landscape health and resilience, and reduce wildfire risk to communities.

By anchoring funding in a local context, these grants encourage regions to move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and instead tailor strategies to unique challenges and opportunities. Priority will be given to projects that leverage funding from multiple sources to maximize public benefits, build regional capacity to develop and deliver future resilience projects, and reflect broad stakeholder engagement, including meaningful tribal participation.

“These collaboratives are uniquely positioned to identify the wildfire and landscape resilience needs within their regions,” said CAL FIRE Deputy Director for Natural Resource Management Eric Huff. “Regional Grants empower these partnerships to implement projects at scale.”

Eligible activities include landscape resilience treatments in forested and non-forested areas, community hazardous fuels reduction, prescribed and cultural fire, pest management, reforestation and revegetation, biomass utilization, and maintenance of prior resilience efforts. Planning and workforce education and training aligned with project goals are also eligible.

“These CAL FIRE grants will support investments where they matter most,” said Patrick Wright, Director of the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force. “They deliver on the Task Force’s commitment to address California’s highest risk areas at a regional scale.”

The program will follow a two-phase application process, with concept proposals due by 3 p.m. PDT on June 30, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Additional information, including a virtual workshop on program requirements, will be available on the Regional Wildfire & Landscape Resilience Grants webpage. Questions may be directed to RegionalGrants@fire.ca.gov.