The funding are to obtain crucial wildland firefighting equipment specifically designed for the districts of ST

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service awarded Virgin Islands Fire Service $120,000 on August 16, 2026, under the State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program (CFDA 10.698) to acquire wildland firefighting equipment for St. Croix and St. John districts.

The equipment acquisition will support initial attack operations on wildfires, extended operational efforts during prolonged incidents, and mop-up operations across both islands, which face escalating wildfire risk driven by prolonged dry seasons, dense brushy vegetation, steep terrain, limited road access, and expanding wildland-urban interface zones. The investment is designed to enhance firefighter safety and improve wildfire suppression effectiveness and community protection.

Virgin Islands Fire Service, a division of the U.S. Virgin Islands government and a local government entity, is the recipient. Performance extends across the U.S. Virgin Islands through September 30, 2028.

Croix and ST. John. Both islands are increasingly vulnerable to wildfires, primarily due to prolonged dry seasons, dense brushy vegetation, steep, difficult terrain, limited road access, and the growing encroachment of wildland-urban interface zones, where urban development meets natural landscapes. Securing this funding promptly is essential to effectively address the escalating wildfire risks. The acquisition of this specialized equipment will significantly enhance capabilities in several key areas: conducting initial attacks on wildfires, managing extended operational efforts during prolonged incidents, and performing efficient mop-up operations to ensure fires are fully extinguished. These improvements are vital to enhancing firefighters' safety as they respond to incidents in challenging conditions, ultimately leading to more effective wildfire suppression and community protection.