IERCD Forest and Fire Community Capacity Sub-Grant Program

The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District's Forest and Fire Community Capacity Subgrant Program began in 2025 and awarded funding for projects aimed at strengthening community capacity in forestry and wildfire resilience across the San Bernardino Mountains and Inland Empire communities. Each project meets one or both of the program objectives below: 

  • Building Organizational Capacity: Increase the subgrantees organizational capacity so they are better equipped to engage in future forest health and wildfire resilience work. 
  • Direct Community Impact: Measurably improve forest health and/or wildfire resilience efforts within the community that the subgrantee serves.

Subgrants were awarded to the 7 organizations highlighted below. The total funding requested was more than 3 times the amount available, demonstrating a large need for this type of funding in our region and interest from community-level groups to increase their capacity and to perform meaningful forestry and wildfire resilience work. This subgrant program was funded through the California Department of Conservation's Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program.

Arrowbear Lake Fire Department 

Increase the Fire Chief's capacity from part-time to full-time to enhance wildfire resiliency, enhance emergency readiness, and protect lives and property. 

High Desert Emergency Action Alliance 

The High Desert Emergency Action Alliance brings together public and private organizations to discuss preparedness and safety in the communities they serve. This project funds a dedicated Regional Coordinator and Defensible Space Assessor for the eastern region of Riverside County. 

City of Loma Linda 

Develop the City's first Community Wildfire Protection Plan to identify vulnerable areas, assess potential wildfire hazards, and develop strategic action plans to mitigate these risks

A group of people, including firefighters, holding a ceremonial check for $75,000 at a city event in Loma Linda, California.
IERCD subgrant recognized at Loma Linda City Council Meeting
Wildwood Watchers Fire Safe Council 

The Wildwood Watchers is a community-led fire safe council located in Yucaipa adjacent to Wildwood Canyon State Park.  This project increases fire safe council capacity through additional insurance coverage, training fire safe council officers, and developing tools to manage financial and physical resources.

San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust 

The San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust is a private land conservancy dedicated to the protection of forested lands adjacent to the San Bernardino National Forest. This project supports capacity building through volunteer engagement to address Goldspotted Oak Borer on the Pebble Plain Ecological Reserve and nearby impacted communities. 

A group of people is gathered outdoors, smiling for a photo among trees and bushes, likely during a community or outdoor event.
SBMLT Goldspotted Oak Borer survey volunteer event
Devore Rural Communities Fire Safe Council 

Establish fire safe council as non-profit, increase capacity, and host events to engage community in newly formalized fire safe council. 

The image features the logo for the Devore Rural Communities FireSafe Council, emphasizing fire safety in rural areas.
Shiishongna Tongva Tribe 

Revitalize Tribe's ancenstral land management practices by establishing cultural burn program and receiving training knowledge from other tribes.

A person stands near a campfire in a forested area, surrounded by trees and grass under a clear blue sky.
Pile burn done by Shiishongna Tongva tribe during training exercise.