Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Region administers this $110,946 Project Grant awarded on July 10, 2026, under the State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program (CFDA 10.698). The Virginia Department of Forestry serves as the primary recipient, implementing a five-year initiative (through July 9, 2031) designed to enhance wildfire readiness and suppression capability among rural volunteer fire departments throughout Virginia. The funding supports critical activities including wildfire training and equipment procurement for rural fire departments, firefighter personal protective equipment and supplies, hazardous fuels reduction efforts, and state fire capacity building necessary to strengthen fire management operations across non-federal forest and rural lands.

This award aligns with the broader federal objectives of the State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program, which has obligated $277.6 million across 654 awards over the past eight years to support prevention, control, suppression, and prescribed burning initiatives on non-federal lands. The Virginia Department of Forestry will leverage its established partnerships with federal, state, and local stakeholders to deliver comprehensive fire protection services, ultimately advancing wildland-urban interface mitigation and community wildfire protection in the Commonwealth.