Short answer
As of October 30, 2026, Lane County’s two homeowner wildfire grants are closed, but plenty of free help is open. Fire districts and the Oregon State Fire Marshal give free defensible space assessments, and the state’s insurance regulator gives free help with insurance problems. Start with a free inspection: it gives you a written list of what to fix, which grant programs and insurers often ask for anyway.
Last reviewed October 30, 2026 by McKenzie Community Partnership. Program status changes often; confirm with each program before you start work.
What’s open now (Oregon and Lane County)
| Program | What you get | Status | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKenzie Fire & Rescue inspections | Free defensible space inspection focused on driveway access and the first 50 feet | Open | 541-896-3311 |
| Oregon State Fire Marshal assessments | Free, education-focused defensible space visit for Oregon homeowners | Open | Online request form; [email protected] |
| Oregon Division of Financial Regulation | Free help with nonrenewals, rate questions and insurance complaints | Open | 888-877-4894; [email protected] |
| Oregon Building Codes Division | Answers on wildfire construction and home hardening standards | Open | 503-378-4133; [email protected] |
| Lane County Firewise Grant Incentive Program | Up to $15,500 reimbursement for rural homes outside urban growth boundaries | Closed to new applications in 2026 | Lane County Land Management Division |
| Lane County Community Wildfire Grants | Up to $4,000 of defensible space work at no cost for vulnerable residents | Closed (one-time state funds) | 541-682-6702 |
| Forest landowner help (ODF, USDA NRCS) | Free forestry advice; possible cost-share for fuel reduction on farm and forest land | Varies | ODF stewardship forester; local USDA Service Center |
How to find wildfire help anywhere
Every community has a different mix of programs, but they come from the same places. Work down this list, and you’ll find most of what exists where you live:
- Your local fire district. Many offer free home assessments, chipping days or small grants, and they know what’s coming.
- Your county. Look for land management, emergency management or a wildfire program. Ask whether the county is updating its Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP); federal grants often fund projects listed in it.
- Your state fire marshal and forestry agency. Free assessments, defensible space guidance and occasional incentive rounds.
- Your state insurance department. Free consumer help when an insurer drops you or raises your rate.
- USDA and your soil and water conservation district. Cost-share programs for farm and forest landowners, often requiring a management plan.
- Local nonprofits. Long-term recovery groups, fire safe councils, Firewise USA neighborhoods and community partnerships like MCP.
- Your electric utility. Some run wildfire mitigation or tree-trimming programs near power lines.
Avoid the common grant traps
- Reimbursement-only grants: many pay you back after the work is done and inspected, so you need the cash up front. Ask before you apply.
- Approval before work: work started before approval usually doesn’t qualify. Wait for the written OK.
- Licensed contractors: grants usually require them. In Oregon, check the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) and Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) license searches.
- Before and after photos: take them from the same spots, with dates. They’re often required for payment.
- Deadlines: programs close when the money runs out. Get on the waiting or notification list.
On the McKenzie River
MCP is working to bring more help to the corridor: pushing for corridor priorities in Lane County’s wildfire plan update, pursuing grants, and planning chipper days and community sessions with local fire experts. Get River Updates and we’ll tell you when a program opens.
Frequently asked questions
Are there wildfire mitigation grants for homeowners in Lane County, Oregon?
Not new ones right now. As of October 2026, the Lane County Firewise Grant Incentive Program (up to $15,500) is not accepting new applications, and the county’s Community Wildfire Grants (up to $4,000) have closed. Free inspections and free insurance help are still available.
How do I get a free defensible space inspection in Oregon?
Call your local fire district (McKenzie Fire & Rescue: 541-896-3311) or request a free assessment from the Oregon State Fire Marshal online.
What is a reimbursement-only grant?
A grant that pays you back after the work is finished and inspected. You pay the contractor first, so check that you can cover the cost before applying.