The California Fire Foundation (CFF), with support from The PG&E Corporation Foundation, has announced the distribution of $950,000 in wildfire safety grants to 63 local fire departments, agencies, and nonprofit organizations in Northern and Central California. This marks the eighth consecutive year that CFF and the PG&E Foundation have partnered on this initiative.
This year’s funding is intended to help communities improve disaster preparedness and response. The grants will be used for a range of purposes, including purchasing protective equipment for firefighters, managing vegetation and defensible space, reducing fuel hazards, and conducting public education campaigns on fire safety.
CFF evaluated more than 190 applications during the month-long submission period. The announcement coincides with National Preparedness Month, which is observed every September to promote awareness about disaster readiness.
The PG&E Foundation increased its commitment this year by an additional $200,000 to expand the program’s reach. In total, the foundation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) are providing $1.65 million in charitable support for CFF’s 2025 Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program (WSPP). The WSPP focuses on raising wildfire safety awareness across California and delivering resources to underserved areas at high risk of wildfires.
Brian K. Rice, Chair of the California Fire Foundation, said: “This time of year is critical for the California Fire Foundation as we review WSPP grant applications from fire departments, agencies, and nonprofits. Each application reinforces the urgent need for resources to help mitigate wildfire risk. The WSPP program is a lifeline for many of our firefighters, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of PG&E. With drought conditions, warmer temperatures, and drier months ahead, the threat of wildfire remains real. These grants allow us to equip local agencies with funding for vegetation management, fuel reduction, specialized equipment, community outreach, and essential protective gear.”
Since 2018, more than $5.5 million has been distributed through this grant program to 431 recipients statewide. Demand for funding continues to grow each year as applications increase. Grants target areas classified as extreme or elevated fire risk by state authorities.
Sumeet Singh, Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer at PG&E stated: “PG&E has the privilege of serving 16 million people every day who live in 48 counties and 246 cities and towns in Northern and Central California. As the risk of wildfire continues to grow, partnerships like the one with the California Fire Foundation are critical for protecting the hometowns where our friends, families and neighbors live and work. By making homes and businesses fire-safe, by providing firefighters with the tools and equipment they need, by raising awareness of how we all can prevent wildfires — we are truly making everyone and everything safer.”
During this year’s grant cycle there were 196 applications requesting a total of $4.29 million in funding from agencies throughout California.
According to information provided by PG&E on its website, since forming their partnership with CFF through WSPP they have contributed a combined total of $10.45 million toward fire safety awareness efforts; over half these funds have gone directly to community-based grants.
Funding comes from shareholders rather than utility customers.
CFF also operates “Firefighters on Your Side,” a program supported by PG&E that delivers multilingual fire safety messages through digital and print channels aimed at reaching diverse communities.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company serves more than 16 million people across approximately 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California.
The PG&E Corporation Foundation operates independently as a nonprofit organization sponsored by PG&E Corporation but is separate from both it and Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
California Fire Foundation provides emotional as well as financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters along with various survivor programs.
For further details or original content: PR Newswire release.
