Wildfire Outreach Program | San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments

FIRE PREP SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

The San Gabriel Valley Wildfire Adaptation and Prevention Outreach Program, known as Fire Prep San Gabriel Valley, serves as an avenue to help communities to mitigate, prevent, and prepare for wildfires in the region. The goal is to provide wildfire prevention and adaptation public outreach and education activities for cities and communities located in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in SGVCOG’s jurisdiction. The program includes the implementation of wildfire prevention workshops, community events, social media education campaigns, informational webinars, and home assessments.

About

HOME ASSESSMENTS

Fire Prep SGV has a new home assessment service designed to help you lower your wildfire risk! These no-cost home assessments will provide eligible San Gabriel Valley residents with an evaluation to identify key strategies to improve fire resiliency. An assessment will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour to complete. SGVCOG will assess your home’s vulnerability and make recommendations relating to:

Home Hardening
Fuel Mitigation
Defensible Space

Additional Resources:

SGVCOG Wildfire Materials

CAL FIRE Defensible Space

CAL FIRE Home Hardening

CAL FIRE Fire-Smart Landscaping

CAL FIRE Low-Cost Retrofit List

Questions? 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is a Fire Prep SGV Home Assessment?
During this assessment, an evaluator will review defensible space and home hardening principles and make specific recommendations based on your property. Evaluations will be performed by SGVCOG staff and take about 45-60 minutes to complete.

2. Is everyone eligible?
This service is only available for the following San Gabriel Valley Communities:

Altadena
Alhambra
Arcadia
Azusa
Baldwin Park
Bradbury
Claremont
Covina
Diamond Bar
Duarte
El Monte

Glendora
Hacienda Heights
Industry
Irwindale
Kinneloa Mesa
La Cañada Flintridge
La Puente
La Verne
Monrovia
Montebello
Monterey Park

Pasadena

Pomona

Rosemead
Rowland Heights
San Dimas
San Gabriel
San Marino
Sierra Madre
South El Monte
South Pasadena
Temple City
Walnut
West Covina
Unincorporated LA County

If you are interested in a Home Ignition Zone Evaluation but live out of the San Gabriel Valley, you may be eligible for an assessment with the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains. You can find more information here.

3. How can I make an appointment?

You can sign up for a home assessment at the following link: schedulesgvcog.as.me/fireprepsgv. You will receive a confirmation email after signing up for your appointment.

4. Will I be charged for an appointment?

No. The service is provided free of charge!

5. Are you certified inspectors or home auditors?

No. This service is intended to provide education and resources to help you lower your wildfire risk. As such, you are under no obligation to complete any of the recommendations.

6. What can I expect on the day of my appointment?

On the day and time, you scheduled, two SGVCOG staff members will arrive at your home. Using a checklist, they will walk with you around the exterior of your home and discuss what wildfire resilience actions you are already taking and identify additional recommendations. Staff will not enter your home during the wildfire assessment. Staff will be taking photos and notes, but this is strictly for your report and recommendations.

7. What is included in my report, and when should I receive it?

Within 2 weeks of your appointment, you will receive a personalized report with recommendations to help you better protect your home against wildfires.

8. What is reviewed as part of the assessment?

Using a checklist, staff will walk with you around the exterior of your home and visually review the following:

Roof

Gutters

Eaves

Siding

Vents
Windows
Doors

Decks and Attachments
Fences
Landscaping

9. I do not see a time or date that I will be available for a home assessment, what should I do?

If you do not see a time or date that fits your schedule, please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate you.

WILDFIRE EDUCATION IN YOUR COMMUNITY

This program focuses on cities with Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), as designated by CAL FIRE's mapping of severe fire hazard areas based on fuel, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors. Look at the map below to see if your city is within a VHFHSZ.

VHFHSZ in a Local Responsibility Area (LRA):

Local government has financial responsibility for wildfire protection and prevention

VHFHSZ in a State Responsibility Area (SRA): State government has financial responsibility for wildfire protection and prevention

LOCAL RESOURCES BY CITY

Check out resources for your city below.

Cities in bold contain Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Cities with asterisks (*) are contract cities served by the LA County Fire Department

Defensible Space Requirements By City

COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN

Following the 2020 Bobcat Fire, the SGVCOG recognized a need for a Regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to guide wildfire prevention and adaptation efforts in the San Gabriel Valley. SGVCOG applied for and was awarded a CAL FIRE grant in late 2022, and is working with consultant Jensen Hughes to develop the CWPP.

The purpose of the CWPP is to identify and prioritize actions for wildfire mitigation, prevention, and adaptation to protect life, property, and critical infrastructure in the San Gabriel Valley. Through collaborative discussions with varied stakeholders, the development of the CWPP will explore existing wildfire challenges, hazard and risk assessments, and local preparedness capabilities of all 31 member cities in the SGV, many of which contain high-hazard areas for wildfire. The plan reviews existing policies of the San Gabriel Valley member agencies, conducts hazard and risk analyses, establishes community maps that identify hazard severity zones, and models additional fire-related hazards. Throughout the process, the consultant team has conducted stakeholder and public outreach, including regularly convening a stakeholder working group. The SGVCOG anticipates adopting the CWPP in February 2026.

Learn More

cwpp