California Continues to Lead Nation with Recognition of 1,500th Firewise Community

May 19, 2026 – California reached another major milestone in its efforts to strengthen wildfire resilience with the designation of the Woodfords community in Alpine County as the state’s 1,500th Firewise USA® community. This achievement highlights the continued statewide progress in supporting local communities as they work to reduce wildfire risk. The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) formally recognizes Firewise communities that demonstrate a sustained commitment to preparedness and risk reduction. The Woodfords community reflects the deep history and longstanding connection that local residents and tribal communities have with the land. Today, Woodfords continues to demonstrate leadership in resilience and preparedness through its dedication to reducing wildfire risk.

The Firewise USA® recognition program, administered by NFPA®, is a voluntary initiative in which residents work together to implement long‑term wildfire mitigation practices. To earn recognition, communities complete several key steps, including establishing a local committee, conducting a Community Risk Assessment, developing a three‑year action plan, hosting public outreach activities, and submitting a formal application.