National Fire Plan-Wildland Urban Interface Community Fire Assistance

 

To implement the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and assist communities at risk from catastrophic wildland fires by providing assistance in the following areas: Implementation of community programs that develop and enhance local capability in the areas of risk assessment and planning, training, mitigation activities, and community and homeowner education and action; Planning and implementation of fuels management reduction activities aimed at mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildfire to communities and natural resources in high risk areas, including associated monitoring or maintenance, on federal land and/or on adjacent nonfederal land; Enhancement of local and small business employment opportunities for rural communities; and providing education and training focused on increasing knowledge and fire protection capability of rural fire districts. Projects that include a cost-share or service in-kind contribution will have priority for selection.

Active 15.674 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of The Interior B - Project Grants; I - Use of Property, Facilities, and Equipment; J - Provision of Specialized Services; K - Advisory Services and Counseling; L - Dissemination of Technical Information; M - Training Fiscal Year 2017 The program anticipates funding WUI projects in communities at risk from wildfire. The program funded 0 projects.
Fiscal Year 2018 Zero applications and awards due to lack of funding.
Fiscal Year 2019 Zero applications and awards due to lack of funding.
Fiscal Year 2020 Zero Applications and awards due to lack of funding.
Fiscal Year 2021 The program added funding to existing projects/awards.
Fiscal Year 2022 Program received 1 application and issued 1 award.
Fiscal Year 2023 Program anticipates receiving 1-5 applications.
Fiscal Year 2024 Program anticipates receiving 1-5 applications. Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023—Wildland Fire Management (P.L. 117-328 [H.R. 2617-321]); Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58 [H.R. 3684] 135 Stat. 1389) State and local governments and communities at risk and communities of interest, as published in the Federal Register/Vol. 66, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2001 or updated Governor-signed list, Indian Tribes, private land owners, public and private education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that manage lands. All selectees must be identified as significant to FWS, deemed by a cooperative agreement, memorandum of understanding, and/or part of an interagency agreement that serves as a clearinghouse for HFR assistance monies. For mitigation activities (projects that are removing hazardous fuels) all work funded must be identified from a signed CWPP or CWPP/E or will be signed by expected funding date. Not applicable. The applicant must provide evidence that they are: party to an agreement with the State Forester (or equivalent) or Tribe; party to a cooperative fire agreement/memorandum of understanding with a DOI USFWS; or is a cooperator, or in progress of being a cooperator, with the Department of the Interior (DOI) through a cooperative agreement with the DOI or their respective State, or equivalents such as Fire Safe Councils, Prescribed Fire Councils, etc. Applicants must reference the applicable CWPP or CWPP/E by name and community. Applicants must be in close proximity to DOI lands and communities within the wildland urban interface. Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. All projects must meet Federal, State, and Local laws for environmental considerations. This will vary between states and is site specific. This is the responsibility of the applicant. For mitigation activities (projects that are removing hazardous fuels), all parties must have a signed CWPP or CWPP/E or will be signed by expected funding date. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Applicants must provide a detailed proposal including a completed and signed SF424 Application for Federal Assistance, a completed SF424A Budget Information (Non-construction) form, and a signed SF424B Assurances form. Detailed instructions for submitting a proposal will be posted on Grants.gov. All applications will be initially screened for eligibility and compliance with the requirements stated in the program Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement. Applications passing this screening process will be forwarded for review by the proposal evaluation criteria, and any additional review factors, as stated in the funding announcement. Wildland Urban Interface community projects are reviewed at the regional level and funding recommendations are made through each regions annual work plan. Final budget approvals rest with the Regional Fire Management Coordinator. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines The approval time for financial assistance applications varies depending on the Region, type and complexity of the project, funding levels, and expertise availability. Not applicable. Not applicable. Criteria used to select assistance proposals are based on their State and local governments and communities at risk and/or communities of interest, as published in the Federal Register or updated Governor- signed list, Indian Tribes, private landowners, public and private education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that manage lands. All selectees must be identified as significant to FWS. For mitigation activities (projects that are removing hazardous fuels) all work funded must be identified from a have a signed CWPP or CWPP/E or will be signed by expected funding date on, and have the ability to reduce the risk from wildland fire to community values and resources, and to increase the capabilities of rural fire organizations, in the vicinity of Fish and Wildlife Service lands. GIS analysis, outreach and education efforts, and other general support associated with fuels management and risk reduction activities; and increasing the effectiveness of wildland urban interface fire protection. In addition, FWS staff may be involved in project activities. FWS -involvement may include the provision of technical assistance, advising in the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans or equivalent. All projects selected must meet all applicable National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) laws. Funding levels vary across fiscal years and regions. For more information, please contact the announcing regional office fire program. Performance Reports: Performance reports are required. Recipients must monitor and report on project performance in accordance with the requirements in 2 CFR 200.329. A final performance report is due within 120 calendar days of the award period of performance end date, unless the awarding program approves a due date extension. The FWS details all reporting requirements including frequency and due dates in Notices of Award. Not applicable. Recipients will maintain records in accordance with 2 CFR 200. Program-specific legislation/regulation may dictation additional records retention requirements. Program will detail all non-standard records retention requirements in the notice of award. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. Matching contributions can be in-kind or cash. The applicant must demonstrate the capability to meet cost share requirements which may include in-kind services. Cooperator contribution may exceed, but not amount to less than 10 percent of the amount awarded. Examples of in-kind services may include, but are not limited to, facility use incurred by an applicant for hosting training courses; Funding or in-kind resources may not be derived from other federal funding programs.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Assistance is typically available during the 1st half of the federal fiscal year. The period of performance/ fund expenditure is 3 years. Program obligates funds and sends a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles, unless otherwise dictated by program-specific legislation or special award terms. Program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the notice of award. None/Not specified. Christopher Marks
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Branch of Fire Management
National Interagency Fire Center
3833 S. Development Ave.
Boise, ID 83705 US
christopher_marks@fws.gov
Phone: (208) 387-5491 https://www.fws.gov/program/fire-management/what-we-do 14-1125-0-1-302 (Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$43,797.00; FY 23 est $110,000.00; FY 24 est $110,000.00; FY 21$110,000.00; FY 20$0.00; FY 19$0.00; FY 18$0.00; FY 17$0.00; - Range and average vary between fiscal years. Not applicable. Fiscal Year 2017 The program anticipates funding WUI projects in communities at risk from wildfire. Projects funded accomplished mitigation activities (projects that remove hazardous fuels) identified as a priority from a CWPP or CWPP/E and reduced the risk from wildland fire to community values and resources in the vicinity of FWS lands. No projects were funded.
Fiscal Year 2018 None.
Fiscal Year 2019 None.
Fiscal Year 2020 There were no awards issued in 2020.
Fiscal Year 2021 The program continued to support Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) projects in communities at risk from wildfire. Activities include support for hazardous fuels reduction, construction of fire breaks, clearing of roads for emergency vehicle access, and critical wildlife habitat construction and protection.
Fiscal Year 2022 Established a framework between the parties to coordinate services for Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) employees working with FWS to complete projects, training, prescribed fires, and other land management activities typical of fire management programs.
Fiscal Year 2023 Program is currently selecting projects for funding.
Fiscal Year 2024 Program will select projects for funding.