Programs

The Humboldt County Fire Safe Council (FSC) actively implements and seeks grant funding for programs that further the goals of the Humboldt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

All programs are entirely grant funded. Some are designed as stand-alone projects, while others are designed as on-going programs that may become periodically inactive.

Current Projects & Programs

Fire-adapted Landscapes and Safe Homes (FLASH) 

Current Grant Funding (September 2020 - March 2024)

• CAL FIRE 2019 Fire Prevention Grants Program

The FLASH program provides a cost share to help property owners lower their risk to wildfire by reducing flammable vegetation around their homes and along access routes.

Current Grant Funding (June 2019 - April 2022)

• CWPP Implementation: Phase II – funded by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (“CAL FIRE”) California Climate Investments, 2018 Fire Prevention Grants Program
• CWPP Implementation: Phase II Part II – Funding provided by a grant from the Cooperative Fire Program of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Pacific Southwest Region, through California Fire Safe Council (“CFSC”) 2019 Grants Clearinghouse Fire Prevention Program

Funded by CAL FIRE and the California Fire Safe Council, this program models a comprehensive approach to wildfire mitigation in at-risk communities that can be learned from, refined, and replicated in new priority areas throughout the county with future funding. The program will fund roadside clearance, defensible space assistance for eligible residents, and free chipping services to neighborhoods across the county. In addition, two new Firewise communities will be established with assistance from this program.

Specific model project locations are being selected by the County and HCFSC through the evaluation of CWPP action plans developed for each of the 14 planning units within the county—geographic units of analysis developed for the purposes of localized fire planning. Project site selection criteria include wildfire risk; community priority (as identified in the CWPP); likely levels of participation; and how well the work will demonstrate best practices and inspire community learning and momentum for additional projects. Work is being planned in each of the County's 14 CWPP Planning Units.

Past Projects & Programs

Restoration of Beneficial Fire (2019-2021)

Prescribed fire is a vital tool in reducing hazardous fuels (among many other uses). This project was aimed at educating the public, elected officials, and the HCFSC on the benefits of prescribed fire and supporting the work of the UC Cooperative Extension and Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association (HCPBA) in developing burn plans and training volunteer fire departments (VFDs) to implement prescribed burns. A Southern Humboldt Prescribed Burn Liaison was specifically tasked with educating Southern Humboldt landowners and VFDs, and establishing a Southern Humboldt Chapter of the HCPBA. The Liaison role will continue through other funding.

Firewise 

The Humboldt County Firewise Program has historically provided assistance for local communities interested in receiving recognition and support from the national Firewise Communities Program. The National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA’s) Firewise Communities Program encourages local solutions for safety by enabling homeowner involvement in neighborhood-level preparedness. Support for this program is dependent on available funding. 

Title III Small Grant Program

Periodically, the FSC will oversee the distribution of Title III funding in the form of small grants to local organizations to assist with Firewise activities and the development of local CWPPs. This program is not currently active but funding may become available in the future.