Step 1: Review your Defensible Space Report
Grant applications are accessed through your defensible space report. Click here to review your defensible space report. If you have lost your access code you can reach out to the email or phone number listed for your local fire district's defensible space department in the table found on this page. Remember, the defensible space report is a resource and fire adaptation is a process. We do not expect you to address every item on your report. The intention is to use your inspection report as a decision making tool, ticking off items to increase home safety over time.
Step 2: Apply Through your Report
On the last page of your report you will find the assistance programs that you are eligible for. If there are no application buttons on this page, you most likely received only a partial, or "street," inspection. Contact your local defensible space department to coordinate a time for them to come back when you are home.
Step 3 (NEW): Submit a Pre-Application
This year, Marin Wildfire is initiating a pre-application stage to set clear expectations about what will and won't be reimbursed, what documentation will be required and what is a fair quote for the work you are interested in. Your pre-application can be as simple as a selection of the items you'd like to apply for, or you can submit quotes from contractors if you've already solicited them. We encourage you to ask any pre-emptive questions in this step. If you have already paid for work that is eligible for reimbursement, the pre-application stage does not disqualify you from the program. Simply skip this step and submit your full grant application as a pre-application. It will be pushed through to the application review queue.
Step 4 (NEW): Response to Pre-Application
A pre-application denial for eligible items would be anomalous. This stage is less about approval/denial than an opportunity to correct misconceptions and set expectations before the resident pays for work to be done. We may reach out by phone or email to have this dialogue.
Step 5: Resolve Grant-Eligible Finding
If you perform or pay for work beyond what was explicitly approved in your pre-application, it will not be reimbursed. If you are hiring a contractor to perform the work there are no licensing or qualification limitations. Before you enter an agreement, you should ensure they will provide you an invoice that clearly itemizes the work for which you intend to be reimbursed.
Recommendation: If you have a contractor installing gutter guards, please ask them to take pictures for you. It will be much easier for them to document at the point of installation than you to do so later on.
Step 6: Submit Application
The process details of this step are still being finalized.
If you need assistance with this step, please see the section titled application assistance.
Step 7 (Marin Wildfire): Application Review
We will review the application to confirm it is complete with all required documentation and award based on the dollar amount indicated in the proof of payment (up to the award limit of $2,500). Some fire agencies opt for an additional layer of review, to confirm or deny the decision recommended by Marin Wildfire staff.
Step 8 (As Needed): Complete Request for Additional Information
If your application is missing required documentation or we require clarification, we will send you a notification requesting the additional information, photos and/or documents. Please pay close attention to the required documentation listed on this page. Incomplete applications take significantly more time and resources to process which result in delays for everyone. If you are confused about the required documentation and need assistance/clarification, see the section titled application assistance.
Step 9 (Marin Wildfire): Decision
We aim to make a decision within one month of a complete submission. Feel free to reach out if you are concerned about the delay, though please have patience. In effort to spend tax dollars as efficiently as possible, Marin Wildfire is lean on staff. This program is managed by one person, who is also responsible for other projects and programs. That being said, there can be other reasons for a delay and it can help to reach out if a month has passed with no word. Email is preferred: grants@marinwildfire.org.
Step 10 (Marin Wildfire): Send Check
Checks are sent every two weeks. If the address you'd like the check sent to is different from the address where work was completed, there will be a place to indicate this in the application.
Grant income is taxable in California. Applicants who receive a total (combined) award(s) of over $600 per calendar year will be issued a 1099 tax form. Grants applications are processed using Fire Aside.
Residents are limited to a lifetime award limit of $15,000 in grant funding. This applies to not only MWPA grant funding, but also grants awarded by our member agencies as well.
Gutter Guards
If your property has combustible gutters, you must upgrade these to metal before installing gutter guards. Marin Wildfire will cover the additional cost up to the award limit.
Non-Combustible Fence/Gate Attached to Structure
Marin Wildfire will only reimburse the replacement of fence/gate within 5 feet of the structure. This must include the fence directly in contact with the house (i.e. you will not be reimbursed for a non-combustible gate, if it is connected to the house by a small section of combustible fencing). However you do not need to upgrade your gate to be reimbursed for the fence attached to the structure (i.e. if it is too expensive to upgrade both the fence attached to the house AND the gate, you may upgrade just the fence attached to the house- this would still mitigate most of the fire risk). Visit Fire Safe Marin's webpage on non-combustible fencing and gates to learn more.
Vents <1/8th" Screening
There are many acceptable ways to upgrade a vent so that embers cannot pass through. 1/6th" screening (or a vent manufactured specifically for fire safety) is preferred. Visit Fire Safe Marin's webpage on vents to learn more.
In Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Marin Wildfire will award up to $2,500 per parcel for the above listed items. There are no matching funds from the resident required.