HARRISBURG, PA — More than 100 volunteer fire companies across Pennsylvania are receiving nearly $906,000 in state and federal funding as the Commonwealth enters its peak spring wildfire season, when dry conditions and outdoor activity increase fire risk.
What This Means for You
- 114 volunteer fire companies are receiving grants of up to $15,000 to strengthen wildfire response.
- Funding can be used for suppression equipment, protective gear, radios, training, and vehicle conversions.
- State officials say most wildfires in Pennsylvania are caused by people, especially in spring.
The Shapiro administration announced that $905,846 is being distributed through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to fire companies serving rural communities and municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents.
The grants are awarded on a 50/50 cost-share basis, meaning local departments must match half of the project cost. DCNR said priority was given to projects focused on wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing.
Funding may also be used for mobile or portable radios, installation of dry hydrants — non-pressurized pipe systems that allow firefighters to draw water from ponds or streams — wildfire prevention and mitigation work, wildland firefighter training, and converting vehicles into wildland fire engines designed for off-road and brush-fire conditions.
“Making sure our wildfire firefighters are well-equipped and highly trained is essential to protecting our forests and wildlands,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said, adding that spring presents the highest wildfire risk in Pennsylvania.
Program History and Budget Proposal
According to DCNR, nearly $882,000 was awarded to 142 volunteer fire companies in 2023. Since the program began in 1982, more than $14 million has been distributed to support wildfire protection statewide.
The awards represent federal financial assistance administered by DCNR through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 budget includes a $30 million investment for competitive fire company grants, which the administration said would nearly double annual funding levels for those programs if approved by the Legislature.
Spring Wildfire Safety
DCNR said March, April, and May are Pennsylvania’s most active wildfire months due to low humidity, dry vegetation, and increased outdoor burning. The agency reports that 99 percent of wildfires in Pennsylvania are caused by people.
The department advises residents to clear combustible materials within 10 feet of any outdoor fire, keep water and a shovel or rake nearby, and ensure fires are fully extinguished before leaving. Officials recommend dousing fires thoroughly until ashes are cool to the touch.
Residents are also encouraged to create “safe zones” around homes and cabins by removing leaves and debris, cleaning gutters, stacking firewood away from structures, and trimming overhanging branches.
Information on elevated fire risk conditions and a full list of 2026 grant recipients are available on DCNR’s website.
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