Local firefighting companies in rural areas with fewer than 10,000 residents can now apply for grants funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help increase protection from wildfires.

The grant money is to be used for training and equipment purchases related to fighting brush and forest fires.

Applications must be electronically submitted through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant website by 4 p.m. May 11 at apps.dcnr.pa.gov/grants.