Forest Fire Program
Serving Rhode Island citizens through prevention, planning, and response, the mission of the Rhode Island Division of Forest Environment’s (DFE) Forest Fire Program is to aid fire departments, as well as the public, with wildland fires. Fire can be beneficial to the environment but, when it occurs uncontrolled in and around homes and communities, it can pose a threat to life and property.
The Forest Fire Program is dedicated to aiding local fire departments in mitigating wildfires, while working with partnering agencies to introduce controlled fire into RI’s environment, as well as providing grants to Volunteer Fire Departments to assist with purchase of equipment to control wildland fires, and administering a fire hose loan program. The Fire Program also provides information about protecting homes and property from wildland fire.
DFE is an active member of the Northeast Forest Fire Protection Compact (NFFPC), a mutual aid group includes New England, New York, FDNY, as well as the Canadian members of Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces. Rhode Island Forest Rangers are trained to the standards of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and agency specific. Partnerships through the NFFPC and other organizations like the North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange is valuable regional resource for research and training also.
Through training and partnerships, DFE is able to provide training and guidance to fire departments in Rhode Island.
Fire Department Assistance
DFE works closely with volunteer fire departments to mitigate wildfires, provide training, and offers a variety of specific programs and services to assist VFDs.
- Fire Weather Information
- Training for VFDs
- Fire Reporting
- Fire Hose Loan Program
- Dry Hydrants
- Videos
Request EMERGENCY Response/Equipment:* Call DEM Enforcement at 401-222-3070. The dispatch center will contact the DFE duty officer who will dispatch units to best meet the requested services.
*This does not include hose exchange.
Fire Incident Report/Hose Request
Homeowner and Community Resources
While many homeowners are aware of the risk of fire in their homes and other structures, and the importance of safety and preparation, they often forget to look outside at their surroundings.
For people living in wooded areas, whether in a subdivision surrounded by forest or a home tucked in a wooded lot, there is always a risk that a wildfire could spread to homes and other buildings.
Although Rhode Island has a history of wildfires, they have been less common in recent years; but increasing temperatures and population density in rural areas means that there is an increasing likelihood that a fire could occur and threaten or destroy multiple properties.
Learn moreVolunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program
The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program is a federally-funded program administered by DEM’s Division of Forest Environment (DFE). Managed by the DFE Forest Fire Program, these matched funds help fire agencies meet their firefighting and emergency response needs.
Learn more