FY26 Bureau of Land Management Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance - Bureau wide      

Wildland Fire Fuels Management and Community Assistance Program activities embody strategic investments in managing vegetation by reducing the intensity, severity, or negative effects of wildfire. These initiatives provide cost-effective benefits to the American people, help maintain and support communities in becoming fire adapted. Program activities include developing local capacities through assessment and planning, community and homeowner mitigation efforts, and implementation of fuels management treatments and activities. This involves training, monitoring, or implementing/maintaining fuels management on federal land or adjacent non-federal land to benefit federal resources, as well as assisting with wildfire prevention to mitigate risks to communities and their values. Additionally, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has an opportunity to collaborate with partner organizations to support these efforts, reducing the intensity, severity, risk, and impact of catastrophic wildfires on local communities through coordination, hazardous fuel reduction, and further education on wildfire prevention. These activities help create jobs and advance conservation and restoration efforts through planning and implementation of hazardous fuels reduction projects. This work aligns with administration priorities by strengthening partnerships, encouraging local wildfire preparedness and mitigation, and empowering community-driven wildfire risk reduction, while generating revenue and utilizing natural resources to support the American economy.

Individuals and For-Profit Organizations are ineligible to apply for awards under this NOFO.This program NOFO does not support entities hiring interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993. The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, 16 USC, Chapter 37, Subchapter II-Public Lands Corps, is the only legislative authority that allows BLM to "hire" interns under this authority. Therefore, eligible Youth Conservation Corps may only apply for projects developed under NOFO 15.243 – BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands.

First Level Screening -Basic Eligibility. Applications will be screened by the Grants Management Officer to ensure that applications meet basic eligibility requirements. Must meet the requirements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov, screening may include, but is not limited to: Program and/or legislative authority requirements are met; Submission is timely; and complete and properly executed SF-424 application package documents. Applications must satisfy basic eligibility screening requirements to be considered for further review. Second Level Evaluation -- Merit Review Evaluation is stated in each Notice of Funding Opportunity noticed post on www.grants.gov Third Level Review Pre-Award Clearance and Approvals. BLM will also complete a business evaluation and determination of responsibility. During these evaluations the Grants Management Officer will evaluate variables such as: Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, financial stability, quality of management systems, past performance meeting prior award terms and conditions, reports and findings of audits performed, and applicant�s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.

Fiscal year 2025: Program funds projects related to Fuels Management projects for wildfire risk reduction, including, but not limited to, vegetation management, prevention, education and mitigation programs. Fiscal year 2026: Program anticipates funding projects related to Fuels Management projects for wildfire risk reduction, including, but not limited to, vegetation management, prevention, education and mitigation programs.