Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act

S. 3609 would establish a new federal grant program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help communities prepare for and mitigate wildfire risks. The bill would provide two types of grants: development grants of up to $250,000 to help communities create wildfire resilience plans, and implementation grants of up to $10 million to carry out projects outlined in those plans. The legislation would invest $1 billion annually in this effort.

The bill would prioritize funding for low-income communities at high risk for wildfires and areas recently impacted by major fires. Communities receiving grants would develop plans in coordination with local residents, first responders, and state agencies. These plans would focus on science-based strategies including improving early detection technology, evacuation planning, protecting critical infrastructure, hardening homes against fire damage, and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations like the elderly and people with disabilities.

The bill would also require the federal government to complete a report on all existing wildfire protection programs and study how community resilience plans could be used by insurance companies. The legislation emphasizes using local contractors and labor when implementing projects to support local economies.