California Fire Safe Council

Over the past decade—and most recently in Los Angeles County—the scale and severity of firestorms in California has marked an era of devastation for millions. The loss, trauma, and daunting phase of recovery that communities face after catastrophic wildfire is overwhelming and exhausting.

Yet fire is also a natural and essential element of California’s landscape, playing a vital force in many western ecosystems. It's not enough that we embrace and understand the beneficial role of fire. We must also adapt our lives to recognize the risks, respond proactively, and prepare for fire. 

The California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) supports communities across the state in advancing wildfire preparedness and resilience. As the statewide fire safe council, CFSC strengthens a network of over 300 local fire safe councils and wildfire mitigation organizations in their efforts to educate, empower, and mobilize Californians to live safely with wildfire. 

Since 2002, CFSC has funded over $140 million to more than 1,200 unique projects bolstering the state’s fire resilience. We envision a future in which California’s most vulnerable communities not only live safely with wildfire but thrive in the face of climate change.

All gifts up to $15,000 will be matched by California Naturals!  

FIRE SAFE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM

Did you know there are proven steps you can take to help prevent and reduce the impact of wildfires? By putting tried-and-true preparedness and mitigation strategies into action today, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones. Communities are far more likely to withstand devastating wildfires when these resilience-building practices are in place.
Here's what we fund:

Community and Home Resilience

Creating Defensible Space: Clearing vegetation and flammable materials creates an effective buffer zone around homes to halt or stall the spread of fire 

Hardening Homes: Protect or "harden" homes against both embers and direct flames with simple, low-cost home retrofitting

Reducing Fuels: Cleaning up the dry brush and yard waste that "fuels" fires, creating fire breaks, and staging firefighting areas

Forest Health & Landscape Management

Restoring and caring for our local ecosystems using science-based land management techniques can reduce wildfire intensity and even slow fires before they reach communities. Healthy landscapes not only help manage fire—they also support native plants and animals and improve the quality of our air and water.

Evacuation and Mobilization

Evacuation Planning: Protecting loved ones and easing fear and stress by improving community evacuation routes and guidelines—making them safer, faster, and more accessible for everyone.

Education: Building resilience starts with knowledge. All Californians should have access to clear, practical information on how to prepare for and live safely with wildfire—whether it’s through videos, printed guides, online resources, or hands-on presentations and demonstrations, and beyond.

WILDFIRE COUNTY COORDINATOR PROGRAM
Building Capacity to Do More

No two regions in California face the same kinds of wildfire challenges. In 52 California counties, a CFSC-funded Wildfire County Coordinator works to make sure residents have access to the best available wildfire resilience programs and resources, tailored to the unique needs of their communities. 

In partnership with CAL FIRE and funded through the CA Climate Investments program, CFSC's Wildfire County Coordinators serve as boots-on-the-ground leaders in local wildfire resilience. They act as the "hub" for local wildfire mitigation, planning, and education, and build strong collaborative networks that support communities throughout California to live safely with wildfire. 

Communities can take bigger and bolder action to improve their wildfire resilience when collaborating with County Coordinators to create a statewide network.