Fire Adapted Landscapes & Safe Homes (FLASH)

Introduction

The Fire-adapted Landscapes & Safe Homes Program, better known as "FLASH", is a cost share program designed to assist property owners with reducing their wildfire risk by managing flammable vegetation around their homes and along key access routes.

How do I apply?

Submit an interest form. A Program Representative will be in touch with you if your needs are a good match for the program and if space is available. Note that there are only a few spaces left in the current round of the program (see map below). 

Need assistance completing the form?

Contact FLASH Program Manager, Julia Cavalli via email or by phone (707) 296-1498.

Submit Interest Form
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October 2023: The FLASH Program is at capacity except for a few spaces in the Mad-Van Duzen, Kneeland, and Avenue of the Giants Planning Units shown on the map below. You are encouraged to submit an interest form regardless of your location to help us understand the scale of need in our community and so that we may notify you if a space opens up in your area.

  • Mad-Van Duzen (Bridgeville Greater Area)
  • Kneeland
  • Avenue of the Giants

Program Resources

Read through the Program Documents listed below to determine whether FLASH is the right fit for your project. The basic steps and requirements are summarized further down this page.

Even those not enrolled in the program can use the Home Risk Assessment to guide their own wildfire preparedness. Also see Preparing Your Home for Wildfire—a quick reference for concepts of the assessment, designed with Humboldt County homes in mind.

  1. FLASH Program Requirements 2022
  2. FLASH FAQs v. 2022.2
  3. FLASH Treatment Guide
  4. Locating Your FLASH Project Boundaries in Avenza

FLASH Program Status

Map of FLASH Program Status

Program Steps

  1. FLASH Technician: Screen participants and confirm willingness to participate.
  2. FLASH Technician: Conduct initial site visit and Home Risk Assessment, as applicable.
  3. FLASH Technician: Identify fuels reduction project boundaries, acreage, environmental impact information, and treatment prescriptions.
  4. FLASH Technician: Develop reimbursement estimate and map. Take “Before” photos.
  5. Landowner: Sign Participation Agreement, Reimbursement Agreement, and other forms.
  6. Landowner: Initiate fuels reduction work (only after all paperwork is completed).
  7. FLASH Technician: Conduct completion visit (and any necessary follow up visits) and approve project completion forms. Take “After” photos.
  8. County or FLASH Technician: Reimburse landowner per Reimbursement Agreement.

Program Requirements

An abbreviated list of the Program Requirements is provided below. For the full details of the program, including eligible practices and reimbursement rates, download the Program Requirements (version 2022). Also see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (version 2022).

  • Meet the minimum 0.5 acre project area requirement (some exceptions may be made, particularly for groups of adjacent properties) and be located within the State Responsibility Area (funding is not available for properties within city limits at this time).
  • Participate in an initial site visit and Home Risk Assessment, as applicable (before any work is completed) and follow-up visit(s) from Program staff to assess progress and to determine funds to be paid out.
  • Agree to cost-share rates and practices determined by the FLASH Technician based on fuel loading, slope, ecosystem type, and accessibility.
  • Complete and submit all required forms and receipts.
  • Meet the fire risk reduction standards of the program by adhering to the vegetation management prescription recommendations of the FLASH Technician.
  • Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
  • Dispose of fuels created during operations by chipping, hand-pile burning, or in limited circumstances, by lop-and-scatter.
  • Complete all project work, including full slash disposal, in a timely manner. All work must be completed before reimbursement can be received.

Program Funding

This grant-funded program has been active intermittently since 2010 and has helped reduce hazardous vegetation on hundreds of acres across Humboldt County. The County was successful in securing additional grant funding from CAL FIRE and the CA Fire Safe Council to expand the program in 2022.

Funding for this project is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) as part of the California Climate Investments Program and the Cooperative Fire Program of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Pacific Southwest Region, through California Fire Safe Council (“CFSC”) Grants Clearinghouse Fire Prevention Program. Coordination and support provided by the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council, the County of Humboldt, CAL FIRE, and UC Cooperative Extension.