Community wildfire prevention & mitigation report

California experienced the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in its history in 2017 and 2018. Fueled by drought, extreme winds and an unprecedented build up of dry vegetation, the size and intensity of these wildfires caused the loss of more than 100 lives, destroyed thousands of homes and exposed millions of urban and rural Californians to unhealthy air. Recognizing the need for urgent action, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-05-19 on January 9, 2019. The Executive Order directs the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), in consultation with other state agencies and departments, to recommend immediate, medium and long-term actions to help prevent destructive wildfires.

Using locally developed and vetted fire plans prepared by CAL FIRE Units as a starting point, CAL FIRE identified priority fuel reduction projects that can be implemented almost immediately to protect communities vulnerable to wildfire. This report's recommendations on priority fuel reduction projects and administrative, regulatory and policy changes can protect the most vulnerable communities in the short term and place California on a trajectory away from increasingly destructive fires and toward a more moderate and manageable fire regime. Other recommendations are intended to put the state on a path toward long-term community protection, wildfire prevention and forest health.