Overview
As wildfire threats grow, California organizations can access grant funding for fuel reduction, preparedness education, and firefighter support through July 8. Officials urge eligible organizations to apply for WSPP grants supporting fire prevention, firefighter training, and public safety outreach.
On June 11, American Community Media, in association with PG&E, the California Fire Foundation, and the Monterey Fire Department, hosted an information session on the annual Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program (WSPP) grant. Now in its 9th year, the WSPP grant has helped over 431 grantees. Around $1 million is available through the grant – with the current grant cycle closing on July 8.
Ross Pounds, board member of the California Fire Foundation, told India Currents that the grant foundation money was available for fuel reduction, vegetation management, community outreach, personal protective equipment, and other initiatives in promoting safety from wildfires.
“This funding is available for fire fighters, fire department associations, unions and non-profits,” said Pounds, who is also a firefighter with the Monterey Fire Department and the District VP of the California Firefighters Association.
The Monterey Fire Department kicked off the briefing by sharing an example of the work they had done with the WSPP grant. They created fuel breaks in Don Dahvee Park, an oak-wooded preserve in Monterey, by clearing space behind the homes around the park. Fuel reduction is an important part of wildfire safety. Strategic removal of flammable vegetation, such as dry grass and deadwood, minimizes fire spread and intensity.
In 2025, WSPP grantees reduced 33 million square feet of hazardous trees and nearly 3 million pounds of tree limbs, branches and other combustibles.
Chief Patrick Moore from the Monterey Fire Department outlined other work they have done with the WSPP grant. “We are out doing inspections to educate homeowners on how to keep their homes fire-safe and also training our firefighters to keep fires small so that they don’t become big incidents,” he told India Currents.
Moore said they applied for a grant because all cities are now facing budget constraints and pressures amid rising costs. “There’s a lot of important fuel mitigation and vegetation management that we need to do within our city. Those funds are available through the California Fire Foundation. So we felt it was a really good way to direct those resources directly towards fuel mitigation and vegetation management.”
Angie Carmignani, Executive Director of California Fire Foundation, and Jeremy Howard, regional senior manager at PG&E, told India Currents that the community awareness programs under the grant included community preparedness tips in multiple languages, which can be found on the cafirefoundation.org website, under the tab, “Firefighters on your side”.
“We want people to get comfortable with having the safety and preparedness conversation, right? Worst case, you never use the information. Best case, you use it and you have it. You’re now ready to go,” said Angie.
Apply for the WSPP grant here.
