This agreement will support the state in engaging private landowners through the community wildfire defense grant (cwdg) program in active management activities to improve forest health and…

The U.S. Forest Service, under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Community Wildfire Defense Grants program (CFDA 10.720), awarded $400,000 to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources on September 19, 2025, to support community wildfire mitigation activities through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) Program. The award extends through June 30, 2030, and will fund the state's engagement with private landowners to implement active forest management activities designed to improve forest health and productivity, reduce disease and insect spread, thin fuels, and support timber production and other economic benefits on nonfederal lands.

As a pass-through recipient, the Washington Department of Natural Resources will administer these funds to support wildfire mitigation projects and community protection activities across the state. The CWDG program funds implementation of projects described in existing community wildfire protection plans, with eligible activities including hazardous fuel reduction, forest thinning, prescribed burning, defensible space creation, and community outreach. This award aligns with the program's emphasis on supporting at-risk communities, particularly underserved and tribal communities, and represents one of 40 awards totaling $131.5 million obligated within the Pacific Northwest Region.

This agreement will support the state in engaging private landowners through the community wildfire defense grant (cwdg) program in active management activities to improve forest health and productivity, reduce the spread of disease and insects, thin fuels, and manage forests to produce timber and other economic benefits