Aerial view of residential modern subdivision

OPR Releases Wildfire Technical Advisory and WUI Planning Guide

Aerial view of residential modern subdivision

OPR Releases new resources:  Fire Hazard Planning Technical Advisory and WUI Planning Guide


In an important step forward on two key requirements in the Task Force Action plan, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) today published new resources to support local agencies and communities as they plan for wildfire at the community scale. 

The first is OPR’s updated Fire Hazard Planning Technical Advisory (TA) which helps cities and counties address and reduce wildfire risk in their general plans. They also released the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Planning Guide. This publication complements the TA by providing specific examples and best practice case studies to communities to reference as they plan and implement wildfire solutions.

OPR is an important Task Force partner, and these valuable publications will contribute to the Task Force’s goal of strengthening the protection of communities across California

To learn more, read the OPR announcement and sign up for an informational webinar on September 14th, 2022.

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OPR Wildfire Planning Resources

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Informational Webinar: OPR’s Wildfire Guidance & Resources

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burn near home

California Forest Improvement Program: Creek Fire Success Story

California Forest Improvement Program: Creek Fire Success Story


In 2020, the Creek Fire burned 379,895 acres and destroyed 858 structures. At Rock Haven, near Shaver Lake in Fresno County, 17 homes and 160 acres survived because property owners utilized the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) to manage their forestland.  CFIP helps eligible private forest landowners with technical and financial assistance for planning, reforestation and resource management investments that improve the quality and value of forestland.  Landowners can use CFIP for creating management plans, Registered Professional Forester (RPF) supervision, site preparation, tree planting, thinning, pruning, follow-up, release, and improvement of forest habitats.

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California Forest Improvement Program

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fire planning

Guide to Planning and Permitting Forest Fuel-Reduction Projects on CA Private Lands

fire planning

New Guide Released On Planning and Permitting Forest Fuel-Reduction Projects on CA Private Lands


With funding support from the North Coast Resource Partnership and the California Fire Science Consortium, this publication presents some key considerations and insights into selecting the appropriate permit to facilitate fuel-reduction projects on private lands—and offers insights into permitting larger fuel projects that involve multiple owners or multiple funding sources. The publication is organized around projects that take place before or after wildfires. It is intended for foresters, private owners of both small and large parcels of land, natural-resource professionals, and project developers. The publication includes decision trees to help landowners and resource managers crosswalk projects to permits.

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CA Family Forest

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A Video Introduction to CAL FIRE's CFIP Program

A Video Introduction to CAL FIRE's CFIP Program


The California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) is CAL FIRE’s primary program that provides technical and financial assistance to landowners so they can do forest improvement work on their property that helps the state meet its wildfire resilience and forest management goals.

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California Forest Improvement Program

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U.S. Forest Service Releases Handbook for Small Parcel Landowners

U.S. Forest Service Releases Handbook for Small Parcel Landowners


December 21, 2021 – Forests in the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range are being stressed by a number of factors that put them at risk. High-severity wildfire, drought stress, insect outbreaks, disease, and a backdrop of changing climate all pose a threat to the persistence of these forests. These factors can work individually or combine to magnify the impacts on forests. For example, the 2012–2016 drought led to tree stress that increased susceptibility to bark beetles. However, there are land management options that can help landowners increase forest health.

 

A significant portion of Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades forests are owned and managed as small parcels (10 to 100 acres) by nonindustrial private landowners. This handbook is for such landowners; it provides succinct, straightforward, and thorough information to help them develop a sound forest management strategy for their property.

 

This handbook was assembled by synthesizing information from a large body of current scientific literature, including printed and online sources, that provides relevant technical information for forest landowners. It is organized in a step-by-step manner to help landowners assess the condition of their property to make informed decisions rooted in the best available science. The handbook is built around four main chapters with attending worksheets that enable landowners to build a California cooperative forest management plan. The plan will help determine what, if any, management action(s) is needed on your land; how to obtain technical and financial support; and what, if any, permits may be necessary. This handbook uses easy to understand language that does not require any specific training in forest science or management.

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