Rural Fire Readiness

Cooperative partnerships between the BLM and local, volunteer, and rural fire departments are crucial to success in responding to remote wildfires on private, state and federal lands affecting grazing, recreational, wildlife and other values important to local rural economies. Local, volunteer, and rural fire departments typically operate in remote areas and can respond to fire starts in some cases hours before BLM ground crews could arrive.

The BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) program is dedicated to enhancing the firefighting capabilities of our wildland firefighting partners. The program allows the BLM to provide training and equipment to our partners – at no cost to them - so we can continue to safely and efficiently suppress wildland fires together.   

Under the Rural Fire Readiness program, local wildland firefighting partners that meet certain requirements may receive training, wildland fire engines, water tenders, radios, pumps, hose, chainsaws, hand tools, personal protective equipment, fire shelters and other items the BLM no longer needs.

To be eligible to receive wildland firefighting vehicles, equipment and supplies through the RFR program, local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations must meet a number of requirements:

1. They must have an existing cooperative fire response agreement with the BLM.
2. They must serve a rural community or area.
3. They must have wildland fire protection responsibilities.
4. They must be in close proximity to BLM-administered lands and respond to wildland fires in support of BLM when available and as needed.

For complete program guidelines and application process, contact your local BLM fire district.