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INTRODUCING
THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
COMMUNITY WILDFIRE
PROTECTION PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
BUILDING COMMUNITY WILDFIRE RESILIENCE AND FIRE-ADAPTED
COMMUNITIES, REDUCING THE THREAT FROM WILDFIRES

PROPERTY OF MYSAFE:LA
INTRODUCTION
A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a strategic document
that describes the environment, describes risks, and suggests actions and
initiatives to lower wildfire risks and safeguard communities. A CWPP is
essential for supporting the safety of lives, property, and natural resources
in vulnerable Los Angeles communities interacting with wildland brush.
CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2

PROPERTY OF MYSAFE:LA
Why Another Plan?
The City of Los Angeles has a lot of information concerning the mitigation-
preparation-response and recovery of potential wildfires. They exist in various
forms and formats and are housed internally in many different departments
within the city response family. The composition of this Community Wildfire
Protection plan is the culmination of a comprehensive analysis and collection
of all relatable information from multiple sources, both internal and external,
and assimilating it all into ONE document. Furthermore, much of the original
composition has updated the plan to be consistent with the contemporary and
evolving wildland threat. Ultimately, this plan will provide a comprehensive
strategy and detailed path for government officials, elected officials, business
owners, and citizens related to the mitigation, preparation, response, and
recovery from wildfires in the City of Los Angeles.
CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

PROPERTY OF MYSAFE:LA
The Need for
a CWPP in
Los Angeles is The City of Los Angeles is at extreme risk from wildfire,
influenced by various factors and reflected in several key
metrics:
Significant Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ): CAL FIRE (the
State’s Firefighting organization) categorizes regions in
the state by wildfire hazard levels: Moderate, High, or
Very High. In Los Angeles City, many areas fall under
High or Very High Fire Hazard Zones (FHFSZ). These
designations consider fuel load, topography, and fire
weather conditions.
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Expansion: The
expansion of the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), where
urban development intersects with untouched wildland,
has significantly heightened wildfire risks. During the
past 15 years, the WUI has continued to expand in the
city, especially in areas of significant growth in the
northern and eastern regions bordering the foothills.
Climate Change Impacts: Climate change has
exacerbated the threat of wildfires across California,
particularly in the sprawling urban landscape of Los
Angeles. Rising temperatures, extended periods of
drought, and shifts in precipitation patterns have
conspired to dry out vegetation, transforming it into a
highly combustible fuel source for fires. Consequently,
this confluence of factors has resulted in fire seasons
that are not only longer but also significantly more
intense, posing increased risks to natural ecosystems
and human communities.
Population and Infrastructure Vulnerability: Many
areas in Los Angeles City that interface and intermix
with the native brush are densely populated with
residents and are frequented by tourists, further
contributing to the wildfire threat. Since many
communities are near fire-prone areas, effective
evacuation plans and proactive fire prevention
measures are crucial for protecting lives and properties.
These strategies will reduce the possibility of wildland
fires starting, reduce their spread and intensity if they
occur, and better prepare the community and the fire
department to respond and recover.
A History of Fires: The City of Los Angeles has a history
of destructive wildfires. Many have impacted high-value
properties, including Griffith Park, the Hollywood Hills,
and the Santa Monica Mountains. The 1961 Bel Air Fire
destroyed 484 homes and changed home construction
and brush clearance rules. In the past 10 years, wildfires
in L.A. have increased in severity, including the
Saddleridge Fire, the Skirball Fire, and the Getty Fire, to
name a few. Every year increases the risk of a disastrous
fire in Los Angeles.
CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4

PROPERTY OF MYSAFE:LA
Los Angeles Has Many Areas of
Wildland Urban Interface - and They
Are At Risk
The Santa Monica Mountains stretch from Downtown Los
Angeles to the Pacific Ocean, featuring extensive chaparral,
oak woodlands, and dry brush that act as natural fire fuel.
Due to prolonged drought and the impacts of climate
change, this vegetation has become more susceptible
to ignition. Strong winds, notably the Santa Ana winds,
can swiftly spread flames, posing threats to nearby
communities like Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Woodland
Hills. The growth of the wildland-urban interface (WUI)
over the years has heightened residential neighborhoods’
vulnerability to wildfires. The area’s rough terrain
complicates firefighting and evacuation efforts, increasing
the overall risk.
Griffith Park, a vast urban wilderness in Los Angeles, poses
a significant wildfire risk. Renowned for its landmarks
like the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign,
the park features dry grasslands, shrubs, and wooded
regions that easily ignite during fire season. Its closeness
to dense neighborhoods such as Los Feliz and Hollywood
Hills raises alarms about the possibility of wildfires
endangering lives and property. The park’s popularity for
hiking and recreational activities also increases the risk,
as human presence can unintentionally trigger wildfires.
The 2007 wildfire devastated over 800 acres of Griffith
Park and underscored the area’s susceptibility to swift and
destructive fires. With climate change worsening and fire
seasons extending, reducing wildfire risks in these vital
areas remains a critical objective for city planners and
emergency services.
CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5

PROPERTY OF MYSAFE:LA
Critical Aspects Public and Firefighter Safety: The plan focuses
on safeguarding residents and firefighters by
enhancing evacuation routes, improving emergency
communications, and designating safe refuge areas.
of a CWPP in the
Community Involvement: A Community Wildfire
Protection Plan (CWPP) aims to foster active
engagement from residents, local governments,
city of Los Angeles and organizations. This collaboration ensures that
strategies are tailored to meet the specific needs
and vulnerabilities of neighborhoods in Los Angeles,
thereby enhancing the community’s preparedness and
resilience in the face of potential wildfire threats.
Risk Assessment: A CWPP rigorously evaluates Building and Fire Codes: The plan is focused on
wildfire risks in Los Angeles neighborhoods, precisely promoting fire-resistant practices in new and existing
identifying high-risk areas based on vegetation, previous developments by aligning with local building and fire
fire incidents, climate, and proximity to developments. codes. This involves using fire-resistant materials,
strategic building spacing, and strict adherence to safety
Fuel Reduction: One key strategy for preventing regulations.
wildfires is to reduce the vegetation and other potential
fuels that can contribute to spreading fires. This can Emergency Response and Recovery: CWPPs frequently
be achieved by creating defensible spaces around lay out detailed protocols for emergency response
properties and clearing vegetation and other flammable and post-fire recovery to guarantee swift and effective
materials to create a buffer zone. Additionally, action and ensure the timely recovery of the Los
conducting controlled burns can help reduce the Angeles area in the event of wildfires.
accumulation of combustible materials and manage the
vegetation in a controlled manner. Overall, proactive Grant and Funding: A CWPP enables communities to
management of vegetation and fuels is essential for qualify for federal, state, and private foundation grants
minimizing the risk and impact of wildfires. to fund wildfire mitigation and preparedness projects,
which are crucial for ongoing prevention efforts in Los
Angeles.
CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6

PROPERTY OF MYSAFE:LA
Developing the
The Los Angeles Wildfire Resilience Alliance is
a collaboration between the Los Angeles City Fire
Department and MySafe:LA, which has been diligently
CWPP for the city working to improve wildfire resilience since 2021. This
public-private partnership is working to reduce the threat
of wildfires and increase homeowner readiness. This
includes developing the L.A. CWPP and creating NFPA
of Los Angeles Firewise USA sites and Fire Safe Councils.
Participation from the public is an essential component of
any CWPP. MySafe:LA provides an easy-to-access process
for the public to review the plan online and offer comments
and suggestions.
The Safe Community Project (SCP), known in L.A. as
MySafe:LA, is the primary author of the CWPP for Los
The CWPP consists of two main elements: First, a printed
Angeles, functioning as the Regional Fire Safe Council.
document encompassing all facets of the Los Angeles
This vital community document has been crafted with
environment, including census data, climate effects,
contributions and input from diverse experts, including the
wildfire risks, and strategies for response and recovery,
Los Angeles City Fire Department, CAL FIRE, the Governor’s
which will be completed by early 2025. Second, an
Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), and various
interactive online version of the plan will be available. This
community organizations. Together, they form the planning
version will emphasize each at-risk region in the city and
and evaluation team for the CWPP. Many of these members
allow residents to enter their home addresses to assess the
have previously worked on other CWPP documents in
specific risks to their property. The online component is
California, providing valuable insights to enhance this
expected to launch in the summer of 2025.
initiative.
CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7

PROPERTY OF MYSAFE:LA
Learn More
To learn more about the Los Angeles
CWPP, visit the wildfire website below or
scan the QR code. Additional information
is available as follows:
MySafe:LA
C/O: CWPP Production Team
578 Washington Blvd.
Suite #1017
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Telephone Contacts
866.933.3475 [Toll Free Number]
213.634.0100 [Main Number]
213.379.0021 [Public Information Officer]
844.452.8469 [Spanish Language]
www.mysafela.org
www.wildfirela.org/cwpp/
Or email us at: info@mysafela.org
Revision 1.1, December 2024, ©2024
The Safe Community Project, all rights reserved.
CITY OF LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8