By: @Anna Stagg
California has increased wildfire resilience funding in recent years, according to a May 13, 2026, report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) titled “Overview of State Wildfire Resilience Funding.” The same day as the LAO’s publication, CAL FIRE opened applications for the Regional Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Grant, underscoring the LAO report’s findings.
According to grant guidelines published by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Climate & Energy Program, up to $30 million of Fiscal Year 2025/2026 funding will be awarded to eligible applicants for CAL FIRE Regional Grants. The minimum grant amount requested must be no less than $5 million and the maximum allowable amount is $20 million.
The grant application page states that eligible activities include fuels reduction, prescribed and cultural burning, reforestation, pest management, biomass use, and workforce development. These activities must focus on measurable results and collaboration with a wide range of partners. Successful grant applicants must incorporate scientific methods, practitioner expertise, and community input. The grant seeks to encourage regional partnerships that improve the safety of California communities and the vitality of natural landscapes.
State funding for wildfire resilience activities is currently at $620 million for the fiscal year 2025-26, according to the LAO report. This is up from $200 million in 2018-19, but down from the peak of $1.1 billion in 2021-22. The CAL FIRE Regional Wildfire & Landscape Resilience Grant is paid for through Proposition 4, also known as the 2024 California Climate Bond. The LAO observes that the state has funded a wide variety of wildfire resilience activities in recent years, including post-fire reforestation, tribal engagement, monitoring and research, and remote sensing. A study by UC Davis found that every $1 spent on forest fuel treatments saves about $3.75 in wildfire damages, reinforcing the need for wildfire resilience investment.
California’s approach to wildfire resilience is multifaced and supports a spectrum of approaches, many of which may be eligible for grant funding.
The deadline to submit concept proposals to CAL Fire is 3:00 p.m. on June 30, 2026.
(Applicants who submit the most competitive concept proposals will then be invited to submit a full proposal.)
The grant application link is here:
Euna Grants - Grants Network
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