Project Grant 26DG11010013019

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation received a $398,400 Project Grant award, effective July 1, 2026, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program (CFDA 10.698). This five-year award, concluding May 31, 2031, supports Montana's wildfire preparedness and community protection initiatives through collaborative efforts among state, federal, and local partners. The project delivers fire equipment development, safety and training programs, fire planning support, wildfire operations assistance, and implementation of community wildfire protection plans statewide, with particular focus on approximately 500,000 acres in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) identified as high-risk zones under Montana's Forest Action Plan and Wildfire Risk Assessment.

The grant emphasizes risk reduction at the community level through homeowner education and resources designed to enhance fire-adapted communities. Given that Montana's WUI comprises only 1.5 percent of state land area yet contains 63 percent of all homes, the project prioritizes protection in these critical zones. Services encompass technical assistance, planning support, equipment procurement, and capacity building to strengthen Montana's ability to prevent and respond to wildfire threats while preparing communities for potential fire events through comprehensive, science-based mitigation strategies.