Funds are focused on addressing critical preparedness needs for firefighter safety, increased initial attack capability, training, financial assistance, and equipment to ensure that federal, state,…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service R3-Southwestern Region awarded $1.263 million to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management on August 28, 2026, under the State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program (CFDA 10.698).

The award funds firefighter safety improvements, initial attack capability enhancements, training, equipment, and financial assistance to enable coordinated wildfire response across Arizona's federal, state, and local fire agencies. The recipient will develop and promote statewide wildfire prevention messaging, implement direct outreach campaigns targeting major fire-start causes within Arizona, and improve community wildfire protection plan mapping and coordination across Arizona counties. Activities include promoting Firewise materials and fire risk assessments to fire departments, education programs, and communities statewide throughout the performance period.

Performance runs through September 30, 2029, with work conducted throughout Arizona.

Funds are focused on addressing critical preparedness needs for firefighter safety, increased initial attack capability, training, financial assistance, and equipment to ensure that federal, state, and local fire agencies can deliver a coordinated response to wildfire. The fire program will build upon efforts to promote a consistent overall wildfire prevention message statewide and support a more direct campaign focusing on the major causes of fire starts within arizona. This will include continuing efforts to improve the availability of updated community wildfire protection plan mapping for counties across arizona through improved coordination and outreach. The cooperator will also promote firewise materials and fire risk assessments to fire departments, education programs, and communities across the state throughout the year.