What Is a Community Wildfire Protection Plan?

What Is a Community Wildfire Protection Plan?

At WD Fire Supply, we believe wildfire preparedness starts with the people who know the land best, the community. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) gives local residents, fire departments, and forest agencies the tools and structure to actively reduce wildfire risk where it matters most: at home.

Whether you're a firefighter, a landowner in the wildland-urban area, or simply someone committed to protecting your home and neighbors, understanding Community Wildfire Protection Plans is the first step toward a more fire-resilient future.

Community Wildfire Protection Plans: Local Action, Real Impact

Created under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003, Community Wildfire Protection Plans are designed to help communities take the lead in wildfire defense. These locally-driven plans identify wildfire risks and outline actionable strategies, like vegetation thinning, fuel reduction, and home hardening to reduce the chance of catastrophic loss.

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan can guide:

  • Fuel treatment priorities

  • Home defensible space initiatives

  • Public education and evacuation planning

  • Grant funding eligibility

Despite their importance, less than 10% of at-risk communities in the U.S. currently have a Community Wildfire Protection Plan in place.

What’s Included in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan?

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is made up of two main elements:

1. The Report

  • Community overview

  • Wildfire threat assessment

  • Goals and priorities

  • Cost estimates and funding sources

  • Action plan and responsibilities

2. The Map

  • Hazard zones and fuel types

  • Land ownership patterns

  • Designated treatment areas

Together, these tools help your community make informed decisions—and turn awareness into action.

Why Your Community Needs One

Wildfire doesn’t wait. Communities that proactively plan are far more likely to reduce losses and secure funding for mitigation work. In one example from Colorado, nearly 80% of at-risk homes were protected during a wildfire thanks to a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that guided fuel treatments and emergency readiness.

Having a Community Wildfire Protection Plan also makes your community eligible for priority funding through the Healthy Forests Initiative, an essential step for accessing resources that can scale your efforts.

How to Get Involved

Building a Community Wildfire Protection Plan requires collaboration between:

  • Local government

  • Local fire departments

  • State forest or land management agencies

If your area doesn’t already have a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, you can help get the ball rolling. The process typically includes:

  1. Assembling stakeholders

  2. Collaborating with federal agencies

  3. Gathering public input

  4. Mapping local risks and assets

  5. Performing a community wildfire risk assessment

  6. Setting local priorities and goals

  7. Developing and approving an action plan

  8. Sharing the plan broadly with the public

View the official CWPP guide from the U.S. Forest Service »

Tools for the Job

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is the blueprint, but the right equipment is what brings it to life. At WD Fire Supply, we stock high-performance wildland fire tools, PPE, nozzles, and gear you can count on when executing fire mitigation projects or responding to wildfires in your area.

Whether you’re clearing defensible space around homes or preparing for a red flag day, we’ve got what you need:

  • Wildland hand tools

  • Backpack pumps & hose fittings

  • Firefighter-grade PPE

  • Residential fire protection kits

  • Mapping and marking gear for treatment zones

Shop now at wdfiresupply.com »

Community Defense Starts with You

Fire doesn’t fight fair—but preparation can shift the odds in your favor. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan puts control back in the hands of the people who live in wildfire-prone areas. By working together, staying equipped, and using proven planning strategies, your community can stay safer, stronger, and ready.

WD Fire Supply is proud to support individuals, crews, and communities across North America. Whether you're writing your first Community Wildfire Protection Plan or restocking for the season ahead, we’re here to help you protect what matters most.