Is Your Community Ready for a Wildfire?

Wildfires are impacting more communities across Washington State every year. According to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center’s annual fire report, the state had 1,709 wildfires in 2023, burning through 151,319 acres. The two biggest fires of 2023, the Gray and Oregon fires in Spokane County, destroyed 700 structures, including 366 homes, and killed two people. 

Which neighborhoods are most at risk for wildfire in your community? What are the priority actions your community should take and where should these be concentrated? If you are not sure of the answers to these questions, then developing a community wildfire protection plan (CWPP) may help.

What Is a CWPP and Why Should You Do One?

A CWPP focuses on mitigating the impact of wildfire on a community. It may address issues such as wildfire response, hazard mitigation, community preparedness, or protection of infrastructure — or all of the above. Above all, a CWPP will help your community identify their specific wildfire protection needs and priorities.

Studies indicate that the benefits of developing a CWPP extend beyond the planning and wildfire risk reduction activities to include community capacity building, the development of social networks and learning communities, and the discovery of new capacities.

CWPP’s are done typically at the county level in Washington State, but not all counties currently have one. There are 10 counties expected to have new or updated CWPP’s by the end of 2024, and an additional 14 counties by the end of 2025. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lists all available CWPPs across the state, organized alphabetically by county. And, while it is more common to have county-level CWPPs, they can also be developed at the city or regional level.

CWPPs are making a resurgence at a national and state level because having one is often a requirement for new funding opportunities —  such as the national Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program, which is managed by the United States Forest Service. The program provides funding to at-risk communities in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential for two primary purposes: 

• To develop and/or revise a CWPP, and
• To implement projects described in a CWPP that is less than 10 years old. 

 In Washington State, the CWDG is managed by the DNR, and the state has received over $50,000,000 of CWDG funds in the last two years.

The CWPP Development Process

The two primary agencies that lead local CWPP planning are local emergency management departments and local conservation districts.

The CWPP process falls under the guidance of the federal Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA). Per the HRFA, the minimum requirements for a CWPP are that it:

• Be collaboratively developed by local and state government representatives, in consultation with federal agencies and other interested parties,
• Identify and prioritize areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments, and
• Recommend measures community members can take, individually and collectively, to reduce the ignitability of structures throughout the geographic location covered.

Collaboration

Creating a CWPP is an inclusive process that encourages participation by all agencies, communities, and groups that could be impacted by wildfire. Critical planning partners will vary by location, but may include:

• Local, state, and federal land management agencies;
• Local fire agencies;
• Utilities;
• Government officials;
• State and local emergency management departments;
• Nonprofits;
• Local planning departments;
• Law enforcement agencies; and/or
• Livestock producers and farmers.

Prioritizing fuel reduction

Part of the development of creating a CWPP is prioritization of fuel reduction projects like tree thinning or vegetation management. Before prioritizing activities, a community should conduct a risk assessment that identifies the following:

• Fuel hazards and their location in the community;
• Risk of wildfire occurrence;
• Vulnerable infrastructure (i.e., homes, businesses, roads, and power, communication, and other utilities); and
• Other values the community identifies.

Preserving ignitable structures

A CWPP should include recommendations (e.g., for property owners, businesses, the public) to reduce potential structural loss due to wildfire. This may include:

• Education and awareness efforts,
• Treatment recommendation, and/or
• Financial incentives.

Conclusion and Resources

The CWPP collaborative process helps local leaders understand the risk to your communities and encourages action items to prepare your community for wildfire. To help your community prepare for wildfire:

• Check if your community has an existing CWPP.
• Participate in CWPP planning.
• Encourage your fellow agencies, community leaders, and organizations to participate in CWPP planning.

County-based emergency management departments may be a source for CWPP planning, plus the DNR offers several Community Resilience Coordinators to assist localities in creating plans. Additionally, here are some online resources:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Creating a Community Wildfire Protection Plan
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC): A Fire Service Leaders Guide to Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan
• MRSC
  • Climate Impact Preparedness, Adaptation, and Resilience
  • Local Government Emergency Planning