Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act

This bill creates a new federal grant program to help communities prevent and prepare for wildfires. Local and Tribal governments, fire departments, and similar groups can get funds to make and carry out a wildfire resilience plan. Project grants can be up to $10 million, and planning grants up to $250,000. The program favors high-risk areas, and encourages hiring local workers. Most projects require a 25% local match, but planning grants don’t; the match can be waived or reduced, and low‑income communities may qualify for low‑interest federal loans to help cover their share. Congress authorizes $1 billion each year from 2025–2029 for this effort .

The bill also expands an existing Forest Service program so communities can use grants for “home hardening,” like fire‑resistant roofs or clearing the area next to buildings to reduce fire exposure. It directs the federal fire agency to publish a national map of at‑risk communities and update it every five years, and to study radio communication gaps so firefighters from different agencies can talk to each other during major fires. Independent watchdog reports will review current federal programs, identify roadblocks, and explore ways to certify wildfire‑ready communities that insurers might recognize .

Key points

• Who is affected: States, cities and counties, Tribes, and local/volunteer fire departments in wildfire‑prone areas; homeowners and renters benefit from safer homes and neighborhoods.
• What changes: New grants for plans and projects; allowance for structure hardening; a public map of at‑risk communities; studies on program gaps, insurance recognition, and radio interoperability .
• When: Program criteria and launch within 1 year; at‑risk map within 180 days and every 5 years after; GAO reports within 1 year; radio report within 2 years; funding authorized for 2025–2029 .