Board of Forestry and Fire Protection releases 2026 Fire Risk Reduction Community List

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2026

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection today announced the adoption and release of the 2026 Fire Risk Reduction Community List (FRRCL) , recognizing 118 local agencies and one Tribal Nation that have demonstrated leadership in wildfire planning and community risk reduction.

Collectively, the communities recognized on the 2026 list represent millions of Californians living in some of the state's most fire-prone landscapes. Established by Public Resources Code section 4290.1, the Fire Risk Reduction Community List identifies local governments and special districts located within State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) that meet California's best practices for local fire planning.

The Board develops and maintains the list, which is updated every two years and serves as an important statewide benchmark for community wildfire preparedness.

"While there will always be more work to do, the growth of the Fire Risk Reduction Community List demonstrates that communities across California continue to take meaningful action to reduce wildfire risk and build long-term resilience," said Tony Andersen, Executive Officer for the Board. "We are proud to recognize local governments, special districts, and Tribal partners that are investing in thoughtful planning, collaboration, and implementation. Their efforts help make California safer, stronger, and better prepared."

The 2026 list includes 42 cities, 12 counties, 64 special districts, and one Tribal Nation. The program continues to grow significantly, increasing from 32 participating agencies in 2022 and 50 agencies in 2024, to 119 recognized entities now in 2026.

"This list gives recognized communities a powerful edge, including clear validation of their wildfire readiness, stronger eligibility for state funding, prioritized support, and a credible signal to residents, insurers and partners that local standards are translating to action and real-world benefits-while highlighting communities that are proactively investing in safety and resilience before disasters occur," said J. Lopez, Board Member, California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Fire Risk Reduction Community List serves an important role in California's wildfire resilience framework. Communities included on the list receive priority consideration for CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant funding pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4124.7. In addition, California insurance regulations require insurers to recognize and reflect the Board's Fire Risk Reduction Community List as a mandatory factor in wildfire risk rating plans.

"Wildfire preparedness is one of the most important investments a community can make to protect Californians from wildfire," said Chief Daniel Berlant , California State Fire Marshal. "The local agencies and Tribal Nation recognized in the 2026 Fire Risk Reduction Community List demonstrate the proactive steps all communities can take before a wildfire occurs to strengthen resilience and improve public safety."

For many communities, the designation has already produced tangible results.

"Our FRRCL designation has helped transform recognition into action," said Emily Aiken , Fire & Fuels Management Specialist with the Santa Lucia Community Services District. "It strengthened our ability to secure CAL FIRE grant funding for innovative wildfire prevention tools like ' Chewie ,' (pictured above) our remote-controlled masticator, and has supported our transition toward a more sustainable, self-sufficient approach to fuels management. As we continue expanding our roadside fuel break maintenance program and pursuing additional wildfire prevention grants, the FRRCL designation remains an important foundation for building long-term community resilience."

The designation is also helping local governments coordinate regional wildfire strategies and improve access to resources.

"Riverside County Fire and our partner cities gaining approval from the Board for the Fire Risk Reduction Community List is a major milestone that formally recognizes our region for meeting the state's highest standards in wildfire planning and safety policy," said Geoffrey Pemberton, Chief Deputy, County Fire for CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire. "This official designation fast-tracks the County and our listed cities for priority CAL FIRE wildfire prevention grants while also providing local homeowners and businesses with a powerful tool to leverage for insurance premium discounts under California's Safer from Wildfires framework."

The Fire Risk Reduction Community List reflects the Board's broader mission to provide statewide leadership in forestry and fire protection by establishing durable, long-term policies that support local implementation, incentivize wildfire risk reduction, and strengthen community resilience across California.

The complete 2026 Fire Risk Reduction Community List is available on the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection website .

FOR MORE: Contact Marcie Yates at [email protected] or 916-917-3170.

About the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection

The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is the state's lead regulatory and policy body for forestry and fire protection. The Board develops and adopts regulations governing wildfire resilience, defensible space, forest management, resource protection, and community wildfire planning while providing long-term policy leadership that supports safer and more resilient communities throughout California.