State Fire Relief Grants Available Now: Apply ASAP
Author
Published
8/20/2021
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) has opened its application for government entities and landowners to apply for fire relief funding from the State through a program called the Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Grant.
This grant program was created by the bill passed by the Arizona Legislature in special session earlier this year. During that session, the Legislature authorized $100 million for various firefighting and recovery activities. Of that, $10 million was set aside for infrastructure projects on public and private land. Applications for that $10 million opened today, August 20, and will remain open until the fund has been expended.
These grants are specifically for infrastructure damaged by fire or fire suppression. The non-exhaustive list provided by the grant information includes fences, pipelines, stock tanks, electrical systems, roads, bridges, and communications systems. The money cannot be used to cover the purchases of large equipment, research, general maintenance, or the replacement of real or personal property. It is also only for damage from fires occurring July 1, 2021 or after. While the payments can be retroactive and compensate for projects already undertaken, the projects must have been pursuant to a fire that occurred this year.
The full explanation of the grant program can be found in the Request for Funding Proposal, but here’s some of the high-level details that you need to know:
We highly encourage anyone who is interested in this funding to reach out to their local Natural Resource Conservation District. As one of the entities eligible for this funding, your NRCD will be able to work with you to apply for projects on your behalf, or to combine the needs of adjacent landowners or lessees to make the applications more competitive.
We are thankful to DFFM and to Governor Ducey’s office for working quickly to develop this grant application, and look forward to assisting our ranchers in applying for much-needed funding through this program.
Helpful Links:
Request for Funding Proposal (READ THIS FIRST)
Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program Page
Grant Application Form
This grant program was created by the bill passed by the Arizona Legislature in special session earlier this year. During that session, the Legislature authorized $100 million for various firefighting and recovery activities. Of that, $10 million was set aside for infrastructure projects on public and private land. Applications for that $10 million opened today, August 20, and will remain open until the fund has been expended.
These grants are specifically for infrastructure damaged by fire or fire suppression. The non-exhaustive list provided by the grant information includes fences, pipelines, stock tanks, electrical systems, roads, bridges, and communications systems. The money cannot be used to cover the purchases of large equipment, research, general maintenance, or the replacement of real or personal property. It is also only for damage from fires occurring July 1, 2021 or after. While the payments can be retroactive and compensate for projects already undertaken, the projects must have been pursuant to a fire that occurred this year.
The full explanation of the grant program can be found in the Request for Funding Proposal, but here’s some of the high-level details that you need to know:
- The money is competitive and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Apply ASAP!
- Awards will be limited to a minimum of $5000 and a maximum of $500,000.
- While not necessary, showing that there are matching contributions will strengthen your application and may bring it closer to the front of the line for awards.
- Eligible recipients include government entities, 501(c) non-profits, and Tribes. Private landowners are also eligible if they work with an eligible entity to apply on their behalf.
- Applicants will need to attest that they have exhausted all other forms of potential payment (insurance, federal programs) by checking a box on the application form.
- Projects funded by the grant should be achievable within 24 months of the award, unless you can show justification for a longer timeline in your grant application.
We highly encourage anyone who is interested in this funding to reach out to their local Natural Resource Conservation District. As one of the entities eligible for this funding, your NRCD will be able to work with you to apply for projects on your behalf, or to combine the needs of adjacent landowners or lessees to make the applications more competitive.
We are thankful to DFFM and to Governor Ducey’s office for working quickly to develop this grant application, and look forward to assisting our ranchers in applying for much-needed funding through this program.
Helpful Links:
Request for Funding Proposal (READ THIS FIRST)
Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program Page
Grant Application Form