IIJA funding is provided to support the volunteer fire departments in communities less than 10,000 population, to make sure that they are prepared for wildfire response

The Oregon Department of Forestry received a $282,000 Project Grant awarded on September 15, 2025, under the State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program (CFDA 10.698), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 6 - Pacific Northwest Region. The award provides Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding to support wildfire preparedness and response capacity in volunteer fire departments serving Oregon communities with populations under 10,000. The grant enables these departments to enhance their operational readiness for wildfire containment and community protection while safeguarding critical natural resources, including timber and recreational lands, thereby reducing catastrophic wildfire risk to both communities and resources across the state.

The funding supports the front-line wildfire suppression and mitigation capabilities of volunteer fire departments in small rural communities, aligning directly with the agency's core mission in forest protection and community resilience. The award period extends through October 31, 2029, allowing for sustained capacity building and equipment procurement necessary to equip volunteer departments with the tools and training required for effective wildland-urban interface fire management and hazardous fuels reduction activities.

IT is anticipated that these funds will support volunteer fire departments are the front lines for wildfire containment helping to protect communities and resources such as timber and recreation. This is direct alignment with agency mission. By not providing this support to volunteer fire departments the risk to the communities and other resources to catastrophic wildfire will continue.