What You Need to Know: Building on the successful implementation of the pilot programs in Lake and San Diego counties, the California Wildfire Mitigation Program (CWMP) is now helping reduce wildfire risk in Shasta County while supporting hardworking families committed to hardening their homes. The CWMP strengthens community safety by funding fire-resistant retrofits and defensible space mitigations for eligible homeowners.
Whitmore, CA – With wildfire now a year-round threat, the California Wildfire Mitigation Program (CWMP) is helping homeowners in rural Shasta County harden their homes with fire-resistant protections that enhance safety throughout the community.
The CWMP pilot program, started in 2019 under Assembly Bill 38, makes wildfire home hardening more attainable and affordable for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) administer the program jointly.
Under California Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership, California has invested approximately $2.5 billion in wildfire prevention work (with an additional $1.5 billion from the 2024 Climate Bond), including $72 million for large-scale, regionally-based land management projects to restore forest health and boost wildfire resilience.
Wildfire home hardening retrofits include replacing combustible materials with sustainable, ignition-resistant alternatives and establishing effective defensible space. Together, these two critical measures at the neighborhood level significantly enhance communitywide resiliency.
“By taking proactive steps to retrofit our homes with ignition-resistant materials and implementing defensible space, Californians are not just protecting individual properties—they’re making their entire community more resilient,” said CAL FIRE Deputy Director of Community Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation, Frank Bigelow. “Events like today in Whitmore give residents the opportunity to see firsthand how home hardening measures can significantly reduce wildfire risk and help families live more safely in fire-prone areas.”
Today we’re celebrating not only another home hardened against fire, but also the state and local partnerships that improve safety across California,” said Cal OES Assistant Director of Interagency Recovery Coordination, Bob Troy. “This pilot program—and others around the state—succeeds because it connects state resources at Cal OES and CAL FIRE with local governments, local organizations and homeowners.”
The California Wildfire Mitigation Program was established as part of the state’s broader effort to strengthen community-wide resilience against wildfires. Members of the Shasta County Fire Safe Council—who help implement the program in Whitmore, Oak Run and Lakehead—joined Cal OES, CAL FIRE and CWMP officials to discuss the program’s significance.
The CWMP also helps educate homeowners and communities about preparing for wildfires and taking actions that reduce their harmful effects. It establishes a broad framework that Californians can use as they make their own wildfire preparedness plans.
Creating defensible space, removing debris and installing vent covers are all cost-effective measures homeowners can take now to reduce wildfire risk.
The California Wildfire Mitigation Program Authority, the board of directors that oversees the program, selected six pilot communities across California with high wildfire risk who could benefit from assistance with home hardening and defensible space. Selection criteria included the risk of wildfire and the socio-economic need, among other factors.
- El Dorardo– Weber Creek
- Lake County– Kelseyville Riviera
- San Diego County – Dulzura, Campo, Potrero
- Siskiyou County– Mt. Shasta
- Tuolumne County– Ponderosa Hills, Mira Monte, Sunrise Subdivisions
- Shasta County – Whitmore, Lakehead, Oak Run
For more information, visit the Cal OES CWMP webpage