{"id":123391,"date":"2026-02-25T20:27:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T20:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/123391\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T20:27:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T20:27:07","slug":"more-than-900000-going-to-114-pennsylvania-volunteer-fire-companies-to-fight-wildfires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/123391\/","title":{"rendered":"More Than\u00a0$900,000 Going to 114 Pennsylvania Volunteer Fire Companies to Fight Wildfires"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

As Pennsylvania enters its peak spring wildfire season, $905,846 is going to 114 volunteer fire companies\u00a0to strengthen wildfire protection in rural communities across the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n

The funding, administered by the\u00a0Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)\u00a0and supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, helps local fire companies purchase critical wildfire suppression equipment, protective gear, communications tools, and training.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking sure our wildfire firefighters are well-equipped and highly trained is essential to protecting our forests and wildlands from both human-caused and naturally occurring fires,\u201d said\u00a0DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. \u201cOne of the most meaningful ways we can thank those who battle brush and forest fires across our Commonwealth is by practicing fire safety every day \u2014 especially in the spring, when wildfire risk is highest in Pennsylvania.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grants of up to\u00a0$15,000\u00a0were awarded on a 50\/50 cost-share basis to fire companies serving rural communities and municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents. Priority was given to projects focused on wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing. Funding may also be used for mobile or portable radios, dry hydrant installation, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, wildland firefighter training, and converting vehicles into wildland fire engines. Visit\u00a0DCNR\u2019s website<\/a>\u00a0for the full list of 2026 recipients.<\/p>\n

In 2023, nearly $882,000 was\u00a0awarded<\/a>\u00a0to 142 volunteer fire companies. Since the program began in 1982, more than $14 million has been distributed to support wildfire protection efforts across Pennsylvania. These awards represents federal financial assistance administered by DCNR through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service.<\/p>\n

Spring and Fall are Pennsylvania\u2019s most active wildfire seasons. March, April, and May present heightened risk due to dry conditions, low humidity, and increased outdoor activity. In Pennsylvania, 99 percent of wildfires are caused by people.<\/p>\n

DCNR encourages anyone starting a fire at home or at a campsite to make sure there are no combustible items within 10 feet of the fire, keep a rake or shovel and water nearby, and ensure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the site.\u00a0Check\u00a0DCNR\u2019s website<\/a>\u00a0to see if there is an elevated fire risk.<\/p>\n

Advice from\u00a0DCNR\u2019s Bureau of Forestry\u00a0includes:<\/p>\n

Clear the area around the fire before starting it.Keep fires small and never leave them unattended.Consider weather and dryness before striking a campfire match.Have a nearby water source and rake to extinguish embers.Douse the fire thoroughly with water until ashes are cool to the touch.<\/p>\n

Residents are also encouraged to create\u00a0\u201csafe zones\u201d\u00a0around homes and cabins by removing leaves and debris, cleaning rain gutters, stacking firewood away from structures, and trimming overhanging branches.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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