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Community Wildfire Protection Plans

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) enables a community to plan how it will reduce the risk of wildfire. These plans describe the current wildfire situation within and adjacent to developed areas and its impact on man made and watershed resources. CWPPs then identify, describe, and analyze currently in place infrastructure that protect theses resources in order to improve and expand fire protection. Once this is completed, community and agency stakeholders develop strategies, sites as well as the methods to reduce wildland fuels and increase fire protection. This strategic approach addresses wildland fire protection on a landscape basis that crosses jurisdictional boundaries. 

The benefits of having a Community Wildfire Protection Plan include National Fire Plan funding priority for projects identified in the plan. The United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management can expedite the implementation of fuel treatments identified in a CWPP through alternative environmental compliance options offered under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. The CWPP must be agreed to by local government, the local Fire Department, and the State Forester. In California, the State Forester is the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).  

The RCDTC is active in wildfire protection issues throughout Tehama County. Not only has our organization prepared and updated a number local Community Wildfire Protection Plans, our staff currently coordinates the activities of the Tehama-Glenn Fire Safe Council. Our staff has extensive experience in developing CWPP planning documents, maps and graphics and have been successful in getting these approved by the necessary state and local entities. In addition, we can organize the necessary community meetings and conduct other outreach activities. 

Current Tehama County CWPP Update 

In 2023, the USDA Forest Service awarded the RCDTC $102,038 through the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program to update the 2017 Tehama East/Tehama West CWPP. 

Through anticipated input from over 60 collaborators and the public, improvements in the CWPP planning process and document, and project development based on fuel management strategies and objectives discussed in various State and national planning documents, the Tehama County CWPP Update will support local entities' efforts to reduce wildfire risk to communities and local resources. The update is anticipated to be completed within two years. 

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