Wildfire Safety Grants Aim to Help California Communities Prepare Before Flames Erupt

MONTEREY, Calif. — California fire officials and PG&E launched the state’s ninth Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program in Monterey, announcing new grant funding aimed at helping fire departments and community organizations reduce wildfire risks in underserved and high-risk areas.

The program, administered by the California Fire Foundation and funded by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company Foundation, provides individual grants of up to $25,000 to California fire departments, affiliated associations, and nonprofits. Applications for this year’s grant cycle are open through July 8.

The announcement came during a media event in Monterey, where fire professionals stood between two fire trucks and displayed photos showing nearby parks and areas with dense vegetation. Officials said the goal is to support fuel reduction, vegetation management, fire safety education, and first responder equipment needs as California faces a wildfire threat that no longer fits within a traditional season.

“Wildfire season is year-round in California,” said Ross Pounds, a firefighter with the Monterey Fire Department and third district vice president of California Professional Firefighters. He said the funding helps local agencies take preventive action before fires threaten homes and neighborhoods.

“These types of funds that are made available for local agencies are vital to reducing the risk and being proactive when it comes to not only keeping the residents safe, but also keeping the firefighters that serve those communities safe,” Pounds said.

The Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program has provided about $12.25 million in grants from the PG&E Foundation since 2018 to fire agencies and community organizations for vegetation management, specialized equipment, and fire safety education, according to the California Fire Foundation. The foundation said it has awarded 431 grants statewide, with a focus on PG&E service areas in northern and central California.

This year’s program includes $1.8 million in grant funding, officials said. PG&E Regional Senior Manager Jeremy Howard said the utility is contributing $1 million to continue the partnership.

“PG&E is proud to offer a million-dollar grant to the California Fire Foundation to enable this partnership that you see today, and we hope that will continue in the years to come,” Howard said.

He said the purpose of the grant program is to help first responders and community partners carry out wildfire mitigation work that many local agencies cannot fully fund on their own.

“We want agencies and the nonprofits that support wildfire mitigation in the state of California to apply for the grant by the deadline,” Howard said. “The important part is getting the community prepared for wildfire season.”

Monterey Fire Chief Patrick Moore said his department received a $25,000 grant last year and used the money for vegetation management and fuel reduction. He said the department focused on Don Dahve Park, near the fire station, where homes sit close to a heavily vegetated area.

“We received $25,000 for work for vegetation management and fuels reduction,” Moore said. “That’s one of the pieces of the puzzle for us for wildfire safety.”

Moore said the grant allowed the city to work with its Parks and Recreation Department to identify strategic areas for fuel reduction. In Don Dahve Park, crews cleared space behind homes and created shaded fuel breaks to slow the potential spread of fire.

“We were able to clear 100 feet of space behind the homes and create fuel-shaded fuel breaks for that area to help protect that community in case a fire did happen in that park,” Moore said.

Defensible space remains one of the central messages of wildfire preparedness. Moore said inspectors are already working in Monterey neighborhoods to assess properties and ensure residents understand the importance of maintaining safe distances between vegetation and structures.

More than 350,000 Californians live in communities located entirely within areas classified as very high fire risk, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. In total, more than 2.7 million people live in very high fire hazard severity zones, including areas with varying levels of risk.

Angie Carmignani, executive director of the California Fire Foundation, said the foundation’s work is focused on supporting both firefighters and the communities they serve. She said public education and preparedness must be continuous and accessible.

“Our mission is to be out supporting not only our firefighters but also the communities in which they live and serve,” Carmignani said.

She said the foundation provides wildfire preparedness resources in multiple languages to help families, neighbors, and community groups understand how to prepare and reduce risks.

“It really is important for us to continue to have the conversation and start the conversation on preparedness and education in multiple languages,” Carmignani said. “You’ll find resources for you and your family, your neighbors, and your communities that can help you be prepared, stay prepared, and educate you on what fuel reduction is.”

Last year, the grants supported 1,500 pieces of personal protective equipment, including helmets, boots, gloves, goggles, and fire shelters. The funding also helped remove more than 33 million square feet of hazardous trees and brush.

Pounds said the grants are especially important as local budgets face pressure and fire agencies seek funding for prevention, equipment, and community education.

“These grant funds, especially now with budgets being constrained, are vital to helping us to not only reduce fuels but also vegetation management,” Pounds said. “They also can provide funding for first responders when it comes to PPE and equipment as well.”

Officials said the Monterey event was intended not only to announce the grant cycle but also to encourage agencies across California to apply and to remind homeowners that wildfire preparedness begins before smoke appears on the horizon.

“This is such a positive collaboration,” Pounds said, “and also to raise awareness of what homeowners can do with their own properties to create defensible space and be more prepared for a wildfire.”