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Congress·In Committee·about 1 year ago

Congress proposes FEMA wildfire grants up to $10M per community for evacuation prep and home hardening

Also known as: Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(3)
Housing Assistance
Neutral
Homeowner
Neutral
Renter
Neutral
Positive Impacts(8)
Disability Benefits
Helps
Chronic Illness
Helps
Physical Disability
Helps
Sensory Disability
Helps
Cognitive Developmental
Helps
Mental Health
Helps
Small Business Owner
Helps
Gig Worker
Helps

State Impacts

District of ColumbiaDC
Mixed

DC is treated as a “State” for eligibility, so DC agencies could apply for planning or project grants. In practice, DC has limited wildfire exposure compared with many states, so it may be a lower priority under the high-risk map criteria.

GuamGU
Mixed

Guam is treated as a “State” for eligibility, so territorial agencies could apply for grants. Whether Guam receives funding would likely depend on how wildfire risk is shown on hazard maps and FEMA’s criteria.

Puerto RicoPR
Mixed

Puerto Rico is treated as a “State” for eligibility, so it can apply for wildfire planning and project grants. Funding priority depends on wildfire risk evidence from hazard maps used by FEMA.

Virgin IslandsVI
Mixed

The Virgin Islands are treated as a “State” for eligibility, allowing applications for planning or project grants. Actual impact depends on wildfire risk mapping and FEMA’s award decisions.

American SamoaAS
Mixed

American Samoa is treated as a “State” for eligibility, so it can seek funds for wildfire resilience planning or projects. Awards would depend on FEMA criteria and wildfire risk mapping.

Northern Mariana IslandsMP
Mixed

The Northern Mariana Islands are treated as a “State” for eligibility, allowing applications for wildfire resilience grants. Priority would depend on risk mapping and FEMA criteria.

Key Points

  • Creates a new FEMA grant program to help states, tribes, and local fire departments plan for wildfires or carry out wildfire-safety projects.
  • Lets communities apply for up to $250,000 to write a wildfire resilience plan, or up to $10 million to carry out projects in an existing plan.
  • Projects can include better alerts and evacuation planning, help for vulnerable people (like seniors and people with disabilities), and making homes and infrastructure more fire-resistant.
  • Most project grants require a 25% local match, but FEMA can reduce or waive it; low-income areas may use low-interest federal loans to cover the match.
  • Sets up new federal reports and maps on at-risk communities, radio communication problems, and ways wildfire-resilient communities might get insurance incentives.
EnvironmentClimate ChangeInfrastructureTransportationTelecommunications

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 21, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 1 year after the bill becomes law

FEMA creates the new wildfire resilience grant program and the rules to award grants

Communities can start applying for planning grants and project grants once FEMA opens the program

Within 180 days after the bill becomes law; then every 5 years

FEMA publishes an updated national map of “at-risk communities,” including Tribal at-risk communities

Your community may be newly listed (or clarified) as at-risk, which can help prioritize grant attention and planning

As FEMA sets the grant criteria (within 1 year of becoming law)

Grant criteria prioritize high-risk areas using wildfire hazard maps

Places shown as high risk on state or federal maps are more likely to be funded first, which can shift resources toward the most threatened communities

After FEMA opens applications (likely within 1 year of becoming law)

Local and tribal governments apply for planning grants (up to $250,000) to write or update wildfire resilience plans

Communities that don’t yet have a strong plan can pay staff/experts to build one, including evacuation steps and protections for vulnerable residents

After FEMA opens the program and begins awards

Communities with approved plans apply for and start using project grants (up to $10,000,000)

You may see work like brush removal near homes, safer evacuation routes, improved alerts, and hardening of critical buildings

Within 1 year after the bill becomes law

GAO publishes a report on federal wildfire protection programs and funding gaps

Could lead to changes in how federal wildfire money is coordinated, potentially making it easier for communities to use programs without overlap or confusion

Within 2 years after the bill becomes law

FEMA delivers a report on wildfire radio communication problems and interoperability solutions

Could drive upgrades so different agencies can communicate during major fires, improving response and evacuation coordination

Related News

5 articles
Senator Alex Padilla (Press Release)·about 2 months ago

Padilla, Sheehy Announce Bipartisan Bill to Create New Community Wildfire Resilience Grant Program

Announces Senate bill to create a FEMA-based grant program for community wildfire resilience plans and projects, including home hardening, evacuation planning, and support for vulnerable populations.

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California State Association of Counties·about 1 month ago

FEDERAL UPDATE | House Advances Legislation to Stabilize VOCA Grants; FY 2026 Appropriations Talks Continue

Federal update notes the wildfire resilience measure would invest $1B annually and provide up to $250K for planning and up to $10M for implementation, prioritizing high-risk and low-income communities.

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Los Padres ForestWatch·about 1 month ago

Los Padres ForestWatch Endorses the Bipartisan Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act

Endorsement and explainer highlighting proposed authorization levels and eligible projects like home/infrastructure hardening, defensible space, detection/communications, and evacuation improvements.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act

Bill NumberHR 582
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 1R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.