Question 1

Is the CWPP a regulatory document or ordinance?

Accepted Answer

CWPPs are authorized and defined in Title I of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA), passed by Congress in 2003, however CWPPs are community-level planning documents, not a regulatory document or ordinance. Further, a CWPP is not a land use, growth management, or emergency evacuation plan.

Question 2

Why did the SGVCOG develop a CWPP?

Accepted Answer

With its rugged mountains, steep terrain, Mediterranean climate and sometimes windy conditions, there are significant areas of very high and high Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) within the San Gabriel Valley. There are also regional vulnerabilities that required a regional approach to planning, including population growth, congested evacuation routes, communication ‘dead-zones’ and multi-jurisdictional boundaries.

Question 3

How was the SGV CWPP developed?

Accepted Answer

The project team followed the process outlined in Figure 1 to develop the CWPP. The team identified and prioritized areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments and recommended the types and methods of treatment that would reduce the risk to the community. The plan incorporated findings from city policies and hazard analyses and includes community maps identifying hazard severity zones, such as the map shown in Figure 2.

The SGVCOG engaged closely with stakeholder groups throughout the process and underwent stakeholder and public review before being adopted by the SGVCOG Governing Board in May 2026.
 
 
Figure 1. CWPP Development Process

Figure 2. CWPP Plan Area and Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Question 4

Who was a part of the development of the SGV CWPP?

Accepted Answer

The SGV CWPP was collaboratively developed. The SGVCOG convened a Stakeholder Working Group with members from SGV cities, the County of Los Angeles, and other regional organizations to inform Plan development and a Technical Advisory Group to inform a wildfire emergency evacuation assessment. The SGVCOG also held a series of stakeholder workshops with the general public, environmental organizations, housing associations, property owner associations, fire safe councils, and other interested parties to guide development.

Question 5

What types of actions are outlined in the CWPP?

Accepted Answer

The CWPP’s recommended actions are organized into the following categories:

Codes and Enforcement 
Fuels Mitigation 
Property Protection (Defensible Space) 
Property Protection (Home Hardening) 
Wildfire Resiliency of Critical Infrastructure 
Public Notification and Communication 
Evacuation Planning and Preparedness 
Public Education and Awareness 
Community and Regional Partnerships, Collaboration and Coordination 
Emergency Response

Question 6

How will the Regional CWPP be used?

Accepted Answer

To educate communities across the San Gabriel Valley about their current wildfire risk and steps to reduce risk  
To build community capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from major wildfire events  
To foster a culture of wildfire resiliency in our region  
To enhance coordination and collaboration efforts to achieve collective regional planning goals and to build partnerships between various stakeholder groups in our region  
To use regional planning and analysis to support local wildfire risk mitigation and prevention efforts  
To inform future policies and ordinances 
To identify and apply for grants and other funding sources to implement wildfire risk mitigation projects at community and regional scales

Question 7

How often will the CWPP be updated?

Accepted Answer

The Regional CWPP is intended to be a “living” document. It is standard practice to revise and update the CWPP approximately every 10 years.

Question 8

Will the CWPP affect my insurance rates?

Accepted Answer

Not directly. The CWPP assesses wildfire hazards and risk to help prepare communities and homeowners for potential wildfire events. Please contact your insurance provider for information about your rates.

Regional Community Wildfire
Protection Plan (CWPP)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CWPP a regulatory document or ordinance?

Why did the SGVCOG develop a CWPP?

How was the SGV CWPP developed?

Who was a part of the development of the SGV CWPP?

What types of actions are outlined in the CWPP?

How will the Regional CWPP be used?

How often will the CWPP be updated?

Will the CWPP affect my insurance rates?

Regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CWPP a regulatory document or ordinance?

Why did the SGVCOG develop a CWPP?

How was the SGV CWPP developed?

Who was a part of the development of the SGV CWPP?

What types of actions are outlined in the CWPP?

How will the Regional CWPP be used?

How often will the CWPP be updated?

Will the CWPP affect my insurance rates?

Regional Community Wildfire
Protection Plan (CWPP)