The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments announced Wednesday the adoption of its first Regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan, a blueprint designed to reduce wildfire risks and improve emergency preparedness across the region.
The plan was developed with funding from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Wildfire Prevention Grant Program, according to the council.
“With the devastating impact of the recent Los Angeles County wildfires still fresh in our minds, finalizing and implementing this plan could not be more timely or more important,” SGVCOG Executive Director Marisa Creter said in a statement. “The Regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan provides our cities with a shared vision and actionable strategies to better prepare for future wildfire threats.”
The council said the plan:
— Identifies wildfire hazards and recommends actions to better protect communities;
— Positions the region to compete for future grants supporting wildfire prevention and resilience projects;
— Supports the development of fire-adapted communities;
— Recognizes the unique challenges facing communities in the wildland-urban interface, where homes and other structures border or intermingle with wildland vegetation; and
— Outlines strategies to reduce wildfire risk and strengthen the region’s ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from wildfires.
Officials said the plan was developed between 2023 and 2025 through collaboration with SGVCOG member cities, public safety agencies, community organizations and residents.
The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments represents 31 cities, unincorporated communities and regional public agencies throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
The wildfire plan is available at sgvcog.org/cwpp.