Nevada communities invited to apply for fire mitigation funding

Wildfire Risk Reduction Program

RENO — The Nevada Fire Chiefs Association (NFCA) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Nevada have partnered to launch the Wildfire Risk Reduction Program (WRRP). Grants of up to $75,000 are available to Nevada groups for actions such as reducing the risk of wildfire by cutting back overgrown vegetation or up to $10,000 for providing education and outreach to property owners and the public.

Nevada agencies, 501(c) (3) organizations, subdivisions such as Fire Protection Districts, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, and Native American Tribes are invited to apply for funding now – March 14, 2025. Projects that receive funding will be implemented May 2025 – June 2026.

“Addressing wildfire threats across jurisdictional boundaries is critical to protecting Nevada communities, private property, the environment, and public lands,” said Kelsey Griffee, Acting BLM Nevada State Fire Management Officer. “BLM Nevada is committed to partnering and strategizing with communities to mitigate wildfire risk across the state, where so many communities are surrounded by public lands.”

The WRRP is funded through BLM Nevada’s Wildland Fire Community Assistance Program, a $1.79 million investment in fuels reduction and mitigation distributed to four community partners for 2025 – 2026.     

“This partnership with BLM Nevada strengthens our efforts to reduce wildfire risk across Nevada,” said Dave Cochran, NFCA President and Fire Chief for the City of Reno. “This program will fund projects that enhance safety for residents and fire personnel, protect infrastructure and private property, increase public awareness of wildfire impacts and prevention, and reduce the risk of fire spread from private to public lands, and vice versa.”

The WRRP will distribute approximately $321,000 to fund:

• Education & Outreach: Activities supporting the development of educational products, community outreach events, data collection, home evaluations, media and public information events, or training residents. 
• Hazardous Fuels Reduction: Fuels management activities in the wildland urban interface (WUI)* to reduce the severity of wildfire impact to communities, including threats to safety and damage to property. (*WUI is the areas where homes, structures, and other human developments border or intermingle with undeveloped land and vegetative fuels.)

Eligibility

County governments or municipalities, 501(c) (3) organizations in Nevada, statutorily recognized political subdivisions such as a Fire Protection District, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, or Native American Tribes working on behalf of one or more communities at risk of wildfires in Nevada. Applicants are required to have an active SAM.gov account and include their Unique Entity ID (UEI).

How to apply

For more information and instructions on how to apply, applicants should view this announcement on blm.gov/nevada and review all the attached documents under “Related Files.” Those without an active SAM.gov account should register as soon as possible to avoid any delays. 

All required materials must be submitted by 5:00 P.M. on March 14, 2025. Grant awardees will be notified in April.

For more information and questions about applying

Contact NFCA Executive Director, Kelli Baratti at kelli@nvfirechf.org, (775) 720-9874