Metro Fire Secures Hefty Grant to Combat Wildland Fires

Metro Fire's ability to fight wildland fires received a needed boost. The department recently received a nearly $1 million grant from FEMA to help them establish a wildland fire prevention program. 

Metro Fire -- which serves Rosemont, Fair Oaks, Carmichael and Citrus Heights -- received a grant of $993,504 and will be showing the public how it will utilize the funds during a special event on Monday, Sept. 9.

"Fires raging through the state have highlighted how quickly fire damages homes, communities, forests, and the economy," a Metro Fire press release stated.

Metro Fire estimates that 37 percent of their responses are dedicated to wildland fires, which averages out to 869 wildland fires each year. 

"These fires expose our own vulnerability, and our desperate need for a wildland fire prevention program," they said. "Metro Fire was recently awarded a grant of $993,504 from FEMA to establish such a program.  The goal is to reduce wildfire risk and increase community resiliency through public education and the development of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, helping Metro Fire and our local communities for years to come."

The event will take place at 1:30 p.m., on Monday, Sept. 7, at American River Parkway (Rancho Cordova), El Manto Access.