Community Wildfire Protection Plan

In 2022, a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) was developed that covers the entire county. The CWPP is a collaborative, community-based plan focused on identifying and addressing local hazards and risks from wildfire. The CWPP outlines what and where in the county is at risk for catastrophic wildfire. Additionally, the plan outlines a roadmap of actions for a community to address the wildfire threat. Developing a CWPP opens up potential funding opportunities for projects that address key issues and treatment areas outlined in the CWPP. 

A Non-Regulatory Document

A CWPP is not a regulatory document. Rather, it provides wildfire hazard and risk assessments, community descriptions, options for addressing issues of vulnerability to wildfire all while outlining a priority list of projects. The CWPP will suggest projects that can efficiently reduce risk of property damage, environmental harm, and loss of life. This makes it one of the best tools we have to adapt our county to wildfire.

A CWPP can vary, but must meet three minimum requirements outlined in the Healthy Forest Restoration Act by the State of California. These three requirements include: 

1. Collaboration: Collaboratively developed with input from a large variety of stakeholders including but not limited to: community members, non-profit and other group cooperators, local agencies, state agencies, and federal agencies.
2. Prioritized Fuel Reduction: Identifies areas for hazardous fuel reduction and recommends types and methods of treatment.
3. Measures to Reduce Structural Ignitability: Recommends measures to reduce the ignitability of structures.

The HFRA requires that three entities must mutually agree on the final contents of a CWPP: 

• The applicable local government (i.e. Yolo County Board of Supervisors)
• The local Fire Departments (CVERA, CVFSD, Winters FPD, Yocha Dehe FD, etc)
• The state entity responsible for forest management (CALFIRE LNU Unit Chief)