Community Wildfire Prevention Grant Program

This funding opportunity, made possible through Measure T, supports local efforts within the Truckee Fire Protection District to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and enhance community preparedness.

The application period is NOW OPEN.

Applications are due Friday, May 2, 2025 at 5PM PST.

  • The grant program is intended to enhance existing forest management and fuel reduction projects/activities, and/or support new projects and programs, with the main objective of reducing the threat and intensity of wildfire in the Truckee and Donner Summit Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and better preparing communities for wildfire.

    Up to $550,000 dollars will be allocated to the Grant Program in Fiscal Year 2025-2026 from the Measure T Wildfire Prevention Fund. Truckee Fire intends to fund 2-5 high quality projects in the District, there is no minimum or maximum funding request for this round of solicitation. The total allocation for the Grant Program budget is subject to change at Truckee Fire’s discretion.

    Tentative Application Schedule:

    This schedule is subject to change.

    • Release – February 21, 2025

    • Focused Grant Workshops - March 6th, 13th, 20th, and April 3rd from 3-4pm

      *More info below.

    • Virtual Office Hours: April 7th, 21st, 28th, and 30th from 4-5pm

      *More info below.

    • Closing Date – Friday, May 2, 2025 at 5PM PST

    • Proposals Reviewed by Review Committee - Week of May 19, 2025

    • Notice of Intent to Award – Week of June 2, 2025

    • Execute Agreements - June 2025

    Focused Grant Workshops (virtual Teams Meetings)

    It is REQUIRED to attend (or view the recording of) Grant Workshop 1: Grant Overview and Application Process/Review in order to receive a Project ID and submit an application. It is strongly encouraged to attend/view all of the webinars as each addresses a different critical topic of the application process. CLICK THE DATE TO VIEW THE RECORDING.

    Virtual Office Hours

    Join at any time during the hour to ask questions regarding your application.

    CLICK THE DATE TO JOIN OFFICE HOURS.

  • Projects are limited to the geographic area of the Truckee Fire Protection District. Those who are eligible to apply include:

    • Private, non-industrial landowners

    • Local Agencies / Special Districts

    • Native American Tribes

    • Incorporated non-profit organizations with or without a 501(c)(3) designation

    • Unincorporated non-profit entities (e.g. Firewise communities) HOAs/POAs/ROAs mutual benefit corporations or similar *Subject to Truckee Fire’s discretion.

    • A privately held, for-profit company or corporation, only if 1:1 match can be provided.

    See the Grant Procedural Guide for additional information and eligibility requirements.

  • Forest Fuels Reduction: *(Minimum 5-acres in size, multiple landowners may combine to achieve, and applicants are required to have a Registered Professional Forester committed to the project in order to apply) 

    • Creation or maintenance of shaded fuel breaks in strategic locations.  

    • Selective tree removal (thinning) and vegetation clearance to improve forest stand conditions and reduce wildfire intensity and severity. 

    • Modification of vegetation adjacent to private roads to improve public safety and ingress/egress. 

    • Reduction of forest fuels around critical infrastructure to maintain continuity of critical services during an emergency. 

    • Equipment purchases to support forest fuels reduction programs and activities within and around communities. 

    • Pest Management to improve forest health, while reducing pest-related mortality. (activities should focus on removing dead and/or diseased trees). 

    • Biomass utilization of wood products such as post and pole, dimensional lumber, plywood, firewood, or to generate energy through combustion or gasification.  

    • Prescribed fire activities which may serve multiple purposes including reducing fuel loads, creating heterogenous and diverse vegetation, maintaining cultural burning practices, promoting healthy ecosystem processes, etc. 

    • Technical assistance from a Licensed Registered Professional Forester. Technical assistance may include but is not limited to; project design, environmental permitting, layout/timber marking, contractor oversight, etc. 

    Community Wildfire Preparedness: 

    • Projects to improve community-level compliance with laws and regulations required by Public Resources Code Section 4291 and local defensible space ordinances. (E.g. Reflective address signs, fire-proof tarps to cover firewood, vent screens, community workday equipment, etc.) 

    • Projects to improve the hardening of structures in a Firewise community.  

    • The purchase and utilization of early fire detection technology and software. 

    • Evacuation planning projects that help residents prepare for Wildfire evacuation, including purchase of go-bags, evacuation signs, developing evacuation checklists, and wildfire action plans, and other materials or actions that advance community wildfire preparedness. 

    Wildfire Prevention Education:  

    • Development and Implementation of public education and outreach programs.  

    • Workshops, meetings, materials creation, and other educational activities with the purpose of increasing knowledge and awareness of wildfire prevention information, and to educate the public regarding making homes and communities more wildfire resilient. 

  • FY 2025/2026 Procedural Guide - Applicants are required to read this document in its entirety, as it includes important information on program requirements and how to apply.

    Project ID Request Form

    Application Workbook - Use this to prepare your answers PRIOR to starting the online application.

    Truckee Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)

    Truckee Fire Protection District Map

    Budget Template

    Letter of Support Template

    Letter of Commitment Template

    Registered Professional Forester Contact List

  • Primary Contact

    grants@truckeefire.org - the email box is monitored by multiple staff and will provide you with the quickest response.

    Dillon Sheedy (RPF #3175) - Forester, dillonsheedy@truckeefire.org or 530-536-8020

    Additional Contacts

    Eric Horntvedt - Wildfire Prevention Manager, erichorntvedt@truckeefire.org or 530-582-7888