Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
The Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) provided communities with a tremendous opportunity to influence where and how federal agencies implement fuel reduction projects on federal lands. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is the most effective way to take advantage of this opportunity. Additionally, communities with Community Wildfire Protection Plans in place will be given priority for funding of hazardous fuels reduction projects carried out under the auspices of the HFRA.
A handbook for Wildland-Urban Interface Communities was developed and is sponsored by Communities Committee, Society of American Foresters, National Association of Counties, National Association of State Foresters, and Western Governors' Association. The Handbook outlines:
- How to convene other interested parties,
- What elements to consider in assessing community risks and priorities, and
- How to develop a mitigation or protection plan to address those risks.
Community Guide to Preparing and Implementing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan
A supplemental resource guide to Preparing and Implementing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan: A Handbook for Wildland-Urban Interface Communities. March 2004.
A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment 10-Year Strategy Implementation Plan, December 2006 (PDF, 0.5 MB), identified several tasks associated with the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act. The tasks were completed and the result is an updated CWPP guide provided for community members, agency, and organizational staff members. This guide contains additional technical assistance for developing CWPPs, information about forest restoration and wildland fire use, and information about successful land use codes and state ordinances addressing wildfire risk in the wildland urban interface.
A collaborative group including local, state, and federal agencies and individuals from across the United States developed this Community Guide.
Community Guide to Preparing and Implementing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, August 2008 (PDF, 3.4 MB)
For Further Information
Ann Walker
Forest Health Program Director
Western Governors' Association
1600 Broadway, Suite 1700
Denver, Colorado 80202
303-623-9378 Ext. 109 Office
541-993-1139 Cell
