Wisconsin Firewise USA grants and homeowner wildfire risk reduction support

How it works

Wisconsin DNR helps fire-prone neighborhoods organize as Firewise USA sites and carry out annual wildfire risk-reduction projects. The DNR says each year the organization chooses a project and can apply for grant funds. The program is built around a wildfire risk assessment, an action plan, and yearly maintenance of Firewise recognition.

What the money or services cover

The official page lists examples of funded or supported projects, including:

• Firewise workshops or presentations
• Curbside chipping of brush
• Common-area brush cleanup
• Educational materials
• Homeowner wildfire risk assessments

The page also says communities can use the process to create defensible space and other wildfire readiness actions.

Amounts and matching

The page does not give a dollar cap. It does say the funds require a 50:50 cost share, and that participant time and effort is most often used as the 50% match.

How to apply

Neighborhoods are told to:

1. Generate neighborhood interest and contact the local DNR office.
2. Form a Firewise Committee.
3. Work with DNR and the local fire department to complete a wildfire risk assessment.
4. Create an action plan based on the assessment.
5. Complete a wildfire risk reduction project.
6. Apply for Firewise recognition.
7. Complete at least one project annually to keep recognition.

Timing and deadlines

The page does not state a formal application deadline. It does say one project per year is required to earn and maintain recognition status.