Wildfire Risk Reduction
Last September, the Line Fire on the San Bernardino National Forest threatened homes, infrastructure and lives. Thanks to advanced planning and proactive forest management, fire crews were able to hold the line and protect nearby communities. View more video success stories below.
Wildfire Risk Reduction in Southern California
The Forest Service combines funding, traditional knowledge, scientific research, and planning into a national effort to help reduce wildfire risk. In Southern California, four National Forests—the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino, make up the Southern California Zone. The region’s diverse geography presents unique challenges for wildfire risk reduction. In an area home to millions, wildfires threaten homes, lives, and ecosystems. Prevention is key. The vast majority of wildfires in Southern California are human-caused. Reducing wildfire risk is everyone’s responsibility. Learn more about Reducing Wildfire Across Southern California (PDF 1.4 MB), or en Español (PDF 1.4 MB).
Four Cornerstones
Across the Southern California Zone, four central cornerstones provide a framework to help reduce wildfire risk. Explore each cornerstone below.
Ignition Reduction
Did you know, most wildfires in Southern California are started by people? Escaped campfires, improper towing, or parking on dry grass along roadways can all spark a wildfire. The good news is, we can all work to prevent wildfires before they start by reducing ignitions in the first place.
Strategic Fuelbreak Networks
Fuelbreaks are areas without woody plants along ridgelines, roads, or powerlines. As wildfire moves into or out of communities, strategic fuelbreak networks give firefighters a safe place to stop or slow the spread of wildfire.
Montane Forest Conservation
Many of Southern California's treasured recreation areas are within sky islands – patches of forest found on mountaintops and higher elevations. Yet these forests are under threat from wildfires, droughts, pollution, and invasive species. Maintaining the health of our montane forests can reduce wildfire risk and benefit both humans and wildlife.
Community Planning & Preparedness
Are you prepared for wildfire? Wildfires put homes, lives, and infrastructure at risk. Reducing your wildfire risk ahead of time is important. Hardening your home, creating defensible space around structures, and having an evacuation plan can help keep your family and community safe.
Success Stories
Islands Of Green: Protecting Communities during the Airport Fire
During the 2024 Airport Fire in the Cleveland National Forest, fuels treatments allowed firefighters to save lives, infrastructure, and communities. View more success stories from across the region below:
From Flames to Future: Wildfire Crisis Strategy & Fuel Treatment Triumphs | During the Bridge Fire, the US Forest Service, along with other agencies and community members worked together to save lives, structures, and ecosystems. Years of hazardous fuels reduction work was key to their success.
Lake Fire: Community Preparedness and Fuels Treatment Success | Hazardous fuels reduction treatments, defensible space, and community planning and preparedness were key to saving lives and structures during the July 2024 Lake Fire in the Los Padres National Forest.
On The Line: Working Together to Protect Communities | Last September, the Line Fire on the San Bernardino National Forest threatened homes, infrastructure and lives. Thanks to advanced planning and proactive forest management, fire crews were able to hold the line and protect nearby communities.
