Grants support small communities with equipment for faster fire suppression.
The U.S. Department of the Interior recently announced that up to $20 million is available in a new round of grants to help local governments strengthen wildfire response capabilities. The funding is part of the Slip-on Tanker Pilot Program, which allows eligible emergency service providers to purchase portable water tanker units that can be mounted on existing vehicles to function as wildland fire engines. The program is intended to support rural and remote communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer that face moderate to high wildfire risk.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated, “As remote, rural communities continue to grapple with the devastating impacts of intensifying wildfires… This program provides a commonsense approach to help local departments deploy more rapidly, use existing equipment more efficiently, and respond before fires threaten their communities.”
Grant awards will range from $10,000 to $249,000 and are intended to improve rapid response capacity and coordination with other firefighting agencies. Applications are due by March 23, 2026, through grants.gov.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Burgum as he oversees the awarding of grants in the tanker pilot program.
- For Interior officials as they collaborate with local governments about emergency preparedness and resource use.
- For communities facing increasing wildfire risks and recovery challenges.
- For the safety and endurance of firefighters and first responders working in wildfire-prone areas.
Sources: Department of the Interior
