This is a bundle of cooperative fire programs/projects, including state fire capacity program, volunteer fire capacity program and two wildfire risk reduction projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, through its State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program (CFDA 10.698), awarded $984,386 to the Mid-Atlantic Forest Fire Protection Compact on September 5, 2025, for a performance period extending through September 30, 2029. This Project Grant represents a consolidated bundle of cooperative fire programs and projects, including the State Fire Capacity Program, Volunteer Fire Capacity Program, and two Wildfire Risk Reduction Projects. The funding will be distributed by the Compact to state foresters and equivalent state officials throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, who will further disseminate resources to other agencies and individuals engaged in fire management activities.

The grant supports critical preparedness needs and hazard mitigation activities on non-federal forestlands and rural lands, with emphasis on firefighter safety, fire planning, firefighter training, initial attack capacity enhancement, and mobilization readiness for efficient wildfire suppression and prevention. Additionally, the funding promotes sustainable economic development and strengthens both traditional and non-traditional partnerships in fire management. The State Fire Capacity portion specifically addresses regional wildfire management infrastructure, including personnel support, equipment acquisition, training program delivery, and enhanced firefighting readiness across the Mid-Atlantic region's wildland-urban interface zones.

Funding will be used to provide financial, technical and related assistance to state foresters or equivalent state officials and through them to other agencies and individuals. Funding provided through state fire capacity should be focused to address critical preparedness needs and hazard mitigation. Critical preparedness needs include firefighter safety, fire planning, firefighter training, increased initial attack capacity, and mobilization readiness for the efficient suppression and prevention of wildfires on non-federal forestlands and other non-federal lands. State fire capacity funding promotes sustainable economic development, both traditional and non-traditional partnerships and service excellence.