These funds will be used to help member states improve wildland fire preparedness and mobilization by providing financial, technical and related assistance to state foresters or equivalent state…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Region 9 - Eastern Region, awarded $1.11 million to the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection organization (operating as the Northeast Forest Fire Compact) under the State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program (CFDA 10.698). The grant, awarded on August 25, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2030, provides financial and technical assistance to state foresters and equivalent officials across seven northeastern U.S. states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York) and five Canadian provinces to enhance wildland fire preparedness and mobilization capabilities.

The funded activities emphasize wildland fire prevention, control, and suppression through comprehensive support including firefighter training and workforce development, coordination of regional fire management activities, technical assistance to state forestry agencies, and incident management training. The Compact functions as a collaborative interstate government entity facilitating coordinated wildfire response and preparedness efforts across the Northeast region, with a particular focus on supporting firefighter capacity and operational coordination within the compact area to strengthen regional fire management infrastructure.

These funds will be used to help member states improve wildland fire preparedness and mobilization by providing financial, technical and related assistance to state foresters or equivalent state officials in the northeast area in the prevention, control and suppression of wildland fires. The project places emphasis on supporting and training wildland firefighters and coordinating wildland fire activities within the compact area. The area covers the states of maine, new hampshire, vermont, massachusetts, connecticut, rhode island, and new york, and includes the 5 provinces of quebec, new brunswick, nova scotia, prince edward island, and newfoundland and labrador.