BLM accepting apps to assist rural fire agencies in Gorge with equipment, training
File Photo - Larch Creek Fire in Wasco County in July 2024.
The Dalles, Ore., April 1, 2026 — The Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington, in partnership with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, is accepting applications for its Rural Fire Readiness program through April 30.
The program is designed to strengthen wildfire response in rural communities by providing training, equipment and communication tools to local fire agencies and cooperators working across private, Tribal, state and federal lands.
Why this matters: Rural fire agencies are often the first to respond to wildfires in the Columbia Gorge and across Eastern Oregon. Ensuring those crews have updated equipment and training can directly impact response times, firefighter safety and the protection of homes, infrastructure and natural resources.
The program supports rural partners by offering resources such as wildland firefighting vehicles and specialized supplies. Officials said the goal is to improve coordination and readiness among agencies responsible for protecting a mix of land ownerships.
“Collaborating with our rural partners is essential for effective wildfire response,” said Larae Guillory, fire operations specialist. “This program ensures those who are the first on the ground have the resources needed to protect their communities.”
To qualify for equipment transfers, applicants must have an existing cooperative fire response agreement with the BLM and/or the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, serve a rural community with wildland fire protection responsibilities, and operate near Department of the Interior-managed lands, within the wildland-urban interface, or alongside a Rangeland Fire Protection Association.
Applicants must also respond to wildland fires in support of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and demonstrate a clear benefit to Department of the Interior land management goals.
Applications are available online and in print. Officials encourage applicants to consult with local U.S. Wildland Fire Service staff before submitting to ensure requirements are met.
Online applications can be submitted through the Rural Fire Readiness Application page. Printed applications may be submitted in person or by mail to local BLM offices.
All submissions will be reviewed after the April 30 deadline. For more information, contact Larae Guillory at lguillory@blm.gov or visit the Rural Fire Readiness program website.
