The Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience (OWPR) provides solutions for problems created by wildfire. Since El Dorado County has been devastated by wildfire in recent years, the OWPR was created to help El Dorado County better prepare for wildfire. The OWPR is still developing and provides periodic updates about their programs. The following is the most recent update from OWPR:
Community Wildfire Protection Plans
There are currently two initiatives underway to update the Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) in El Dorado County. The CWPP for the Tahoe Basin is currently under revision, and updates can be found here.
The remainder of El Dorado County is covered by the Western El Dorado County CWPP. The El Dorado County Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience (OWPR) is updating the current CWPP to eliminate geographic gaps, validate crucial infrastructure at risk, address omissions or conflicts related to other planning documents, compliment the Tahoe Basin CWPP initiatives, and meet the requirements of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. The Western El Dorado County CWPP is intended to be a dynamic document initiated at a grass roots level that engages local fire safe councils, Firewise Communities, and other locally led fire-safe initiatives.
El Dorado County is seeking proposals from qualified consultants who have experience and specialize in preparing community wildfire protection plans. The Request for Proposal, which includes additional project information and the scope of work, can be found at:
PlanetBids Vendor Portal - Final filing date is 11/3/2023, 3:00pm
The CWPP update is targeted for completion by the end of 2024. Additional information will be posted on the CWPP web page as the workplan and timeframe are developed.
Weber Creek Project
El Dorado County was awarded a California Wildfire Mitigation Program grant for funding to support a pilot project creating defensible space and retrofitting homes for ignition resistant construction. Additional information regard this grant program can be found in the award Announcement. This 3-year project will focus on 525 homes at high risk from wildfire along the Weber Creek drainage south of Placerville. In addition to the grant funds, El Dorado County is also committing funding to this effort. Phase I of the grant was approved on June 28, 2023, and focuses on the preliminary environmental review requirements and clearance. Project implementation and physical work will occur in Phase 2, anticipated to be awarded and work to begin in late 2024.
Online Mapping Tool
El Dorado County, in partnership with the El Dorado County Water Agency, has developed an online mapping tool for use by the public, fire safe councils, FireWise communities and other organizations to view or develop fire prevention and vegetation treatment project. This interactive tool allows for analysis of information, including land ownership, political and organizational boundaries, resources such as fire station and fire hydrant locations, current and historical wildfires and fire prevention projects.
This mapping tool will be under continuous improvement, with additional data and functionality added over time, including the ability to export and import datasets, as well as save workspace projects for future sessions. Users can share feedback on the tool by using the link available inside application or emailing OWPR at wildfireready@edcgov.us.
Firewise Communities
The interest in Firewise Communities is increasing as residents seek opportunities to reduce their risk of wildfire and potentially receive discounts on homeowners’ insurance. OWPR is partnering with CAL FIRE and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District to assist communities throughout El Dorado County with completing new Firewise applications or renewing existing Firewise Communities. Additional Firewise Community information can be found at El Dorado County Firewise Community.
Homeowners Insurance
Policies and regulations regarding homeowners’ insurance in the wildland urban interface are rapidly changing and evolving. The California Department of Insurance is currently undertaking initiatives to provide accessible insurance for all Californians.
OWPR is monitoring the issues and initiatives surrounding obtaining and renewing homeowners’ insurance policies due to the wildfire risk and will post updated information and useful website links on its website at Insurance Information.
Defensible Space Program
El Dorado County, in partnership with the Lake Valley Fire District and El Dorado Hills Fire Department, continues to conduct defensible space inspections in five County Emphasis Areas based on the timelines identified below:
Upper Apache (Meyers) – Summer 2023
Stewart Mine Area (Kelsey) – July-September 2023
Bassi Road Area (Lotus) – October-December 2023
Texas Hill Area (Placerville) – January-March 2024
Outingdale Area (Somerset) – April-May 2024
The goal of these inspections is to provide homeowners valuable information on how they can meet their defensible space requirement and make their homes more resilient to wildfire. Upcoming informational workshops are scheduled as follows:
Texas Hill
Thursday, December 7th, 2023 – 6pm-8pm
Placerville Town Hall
549 Main St.
Placerville, CA 95667
Outingdale
Tuesday, March 5th, 2023 – 6pm-8pm
Pioneer Park Community Center
6740 Fairplay Rd.
Somerset, CA 95684
El Dorado County is revising the current El Dorado County Vegetation Management and Defensible Space Ordinance. The proposed revision, titled: Chapter 8.09 - Hazardous Vegetation and Defensible Space Ordinance, will be presented for first reading to the Board of Supervisors in November. Changes are displayed in the Table of Revisions.
Learn more from the Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience
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