2 Florida cities to get $500,000 for wildfire prevention. What that money will do

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·4 min read

One of the most important ways to reduce damage from a wildfire is to get ready for one ahead of time.

On Tuesday, the Biden-Harris administration announced $250 million in funding for at-risk communities to develop community wildfire protection plans and remove overgrown vegetation that can fuel out-of-control fires. Two Florida cities, Jacksonville and Sarasota, will receive $250,000 each.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Community Wildfire Defense Grant program, part of President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will fund 158 projects to help communities in 31 states, two territories and 11 tribes, the release said. You can see the complete list here.

“Last year, over two million Americans across the country were displaced by extreme weather and climate-fueled disasters, including wildfires,” said Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Under President Biden, we are making the largest-ever investment to tackle the climate crisis, while reducing the risks of catastrophic fires and making communities safer, stronger, and more resilient.”

Previous funding has helped create roadside clearance crews, pay for community outreach on safety measures, purchase heavy equipment, provide home assessments and wildfire mitigation, create fuel reduction programs and more.

Priority goes to areas with high wildfire hazard potential, low-income communities, and communities impacted by a severe disaster, according to the USDA. This year, 72% of the approved applicants met all three priorities.

This is the second year of the program and the first that grants have been given to projects in Florida.

Wildfires in Florida in 2024

As of May 12, there have been 965 wildfires in Florida, burning 20,978 acres, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

Of those fires, 911 (14,913 acres) were on state land and 54 (6,065 acres) on federal land.

Florida wildfires: Here's how to protect your home

What are Community Wildfire Defense Grants?

Community Wildfire Defense Grants provide funding to communities at risk from wildfires to help them plan for the worst and reduce their risks, the USDA said.

In 2024, the USDA's Forest Service received 535 applications from 40 states, two U.S. territories, and 41 tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. Review panels selected 158 proposals.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorizes $1 billion for the program over five years. Another round of funding will come later in 2024, the USDA said.

Florida wildfire, smoke map: Track latest wildfires, red flag warnings

The three main goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy are:

  • Restore and maintain landscapes

  • Create fire-adapted communities

  • Improve wildfire response

How to prepare your home against wildfires

The FDACS has several recommendations to make your home and yard more "firewise."

  • Burn your yard waste safely. Yard waste burning is one of the leading causes of wildfires in Florida, and burning your garbage is illegal. Burn only yard waste, in a contained pile or noncombustible container, 25 feet from your home, 50 feet from a paced public road, and 150 feet from other occupied buildings. Yard waste may only be burned between 9 a.m. EST and an hour before sunset. Check local requirements.

  • Prepare your yard. Create a defensible space zone 30 feet out from your home by clearing all dead vegetation from your yard, roof, rain gutters, windows and under decks. Remove branches hanging over your roof and trim branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees to minimize fire spread. Check here for suggestions for more yard prep.

  • Prepare your home. Keep working fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in your home and keep them charged and ready. Keep your roof, gutters and eaves clear of debris and clean vents regularly. Keep exterior walls clear of foliage and brush. Use fire-resistant materials for walls, doors, windows and decks. Make sure access roads and your driveway are clear and can accommodate emergency vehicles.

  • Report arson. Call 911 and report it, then call the Florida Forestry's Arson Alert Association at 1-800-342-5869. Describe, if you can, the suspect, their vehicle, license plates, and where you saw them.

  • Prepare an emergency supply kit. By the time a fire is coming, you need to be ready to leave. Have an easily accessible kit ready with:

    • A seven-day supply of vital medication

    • Wall and car chargers for your phones

    • Extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler's checks

    • Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, proof of address, medical information, etc.)

    • External hard drive or USB with personal computer information and files

    • Inventory of home contents. Consider making a list, utilizing a home-inventory app on your phone or videotaping prior to an emergency.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Jacksonville, Sarasota, Florida get USDA wildfire defense money