For Communities

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service works hand-in-hand with local communities on wildfire prevention, preparation, and coordinated response.

A man in a ribbed jacket poses with his hands in his pockets in front of cut trees stacked behind him on the edge of a grass strip with a faint dusting of snow. Immediate beyond the timber is the edge of a forest of mixed evergreens and poplars.

Communities in fire-prone landscapes face immediate threats that require local solutions. State, county, and municipal fire agencies are on the front lines protecting their communities from wildfires.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service prioritizes partnerships with local communities to address wildfire risks and build long-term resilience.

Over 12,000 communities with more than 170 million residents—over half the population in the United States—live on or within 10 miles of Interior-managed and tribal trust lands. Close coordination is essential to protect these communities, their economies, and the lands they depend on from wildfires.

We support community-driven efforts to reduce wildfire risk and facilitate rapid response through:

Coordinated Response: Cooperative agreements enable shared firefighting resources, interagency coordination, and reimbursement for wildfire response.
Financial Assistance: Grants and equipment donations bolster local capacity.
Planning Support: Technical assistance supports community wildfire protection planning.
Resource Deployment: Federal firefighters, equipment, and aviation assets—strategically placed in high-risk areas during peak fire season—supplement local capabilities in responding to large wildfires.
Training and Certification: Shared standards enable seamless integration of resources across jurisdictions.

State forestry agencies also coordinate closely with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service through the National Association of State Foresters, ensuring a unified approach to wildfire prevention and response nationwide.

By empowering communities to take ownership of their fire resilience, we create lasting protection that extends far beyond federal response capabilities.