Community Wildfire Preparedness
Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP)
The Fire Hazard Reduction Program, commonly known as “FHRP”, is the cornerstone of our Wildland Fire Action Plan. Property owners included in the program will receive an annual “Notice to Abate Fire Hazard”. Property owners are expected to maintain their property free of fire hazards or nuisance vegetation year round. See Ventura County Fire Code Chapter 49 for specific requirements of the FHRP program. For more information contact FHRP at (805) 389-9759 or fhrp@ventura.orgÂ
BRUSH CLEARANCE NOTICE AND REQUIREMENTS
Notices to Abate Fire Hazard are mailed on April 20th each year. For more information, see the links below.Â
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Definitions Applicable to Fire Hazard Reduction ProgramÂ
- Assessor Parcel InformationÂ
- FHRP Abatement Assessment and Appeal Process
- Tips for Safe Weed Clearing
If you would like to notify the Fire District that your required fire hazard clearance has been completed or to request additional information, please click here.
REAL ESTATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE INSPECTIONS (AB38)
For Information regarding Real Estate Defensible Space Compliance Reports for properties located in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones – Click here. Â
FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
Click here to see if your property is in a State Mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ)
PREPARING FOR WILDFIRE
Fire Safe Councils:
There are 5 Fire Safe Councils within Ventura County. These Fire Safe Councils are helping residents that live in fire hazard neighborhoods throughout Ventura County lower their wildfire risk. To find your local Fire Safe Council and their contact information, please view the map here. Â
Home Wildfire Assessments:
Free Home Wildfire & Hardening Assessments are also provided by the Fire Safe Councils in locations prone to wildfires.Â
Wildfire Home Hardening Information:
- Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide
- CAL FIRE Home Hardening Low Cost Retrofit List
- Cal OES Wildfire Home Hardening Framework
Additional Information and Resources:
- VCFPD Wildfire Property Assessment Brochure
- Building and Living in the Wildland-Urban Interface
- Sustainable Defensible Space
- Ventura County Community Wildfire Protection Plan
- Ready-Set-Go Wildfire Action Plan
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS):Â Â
University of California Cooperative Extension Fire in California.
DEFENSIBLE SPACE REQUIREMENTS
For information regarding defensible space requirements, please see the following:
- Standard 515 – Defensible Space and Fuel Modification
- Standard 517 – Mulch and Chips in Defensible Space Zones
- Guideline 418 – Defensible Space
- Guideline 420 – Defensible Space Laws and Regulations
- Guideline 423 – Defensible Space Maintenance Guide
- Administrative Ruling 23-804 Applicability of the VCFC and VCFD Standard 515
LANDSCAPE AND FUEL MODIFICATION PLANS
Landscape Plans are required for New Buildings, including accessory dwellings and modification to existing landscape. For additional information see the below documents:
FIREWISE COMMUNITY INFORMATION
The Ventura County Fire Department is launching Firewise Communities within Ventura County. The Firewise USA® recognition program is administered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level. The Firewise USA program is a part of Ventura County’s efforts to ensure communities are prepared against wildfire. Becoming a Firewise USA-recognized community also allows for potential insurance discounts.
To learn more about Firewise USA or to become a Firewise USA community, please contact the FHRP Unit.
FIRE INSURANCE RELATED INFORMATIONÂ
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has several resources that can assist homeowners regarding fire insurance, including new regulations for insurance companies. If you have questions regarding a notice you received from your insurer about wildfire risk on your property, you can contact the Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357 or online chat at insurance.ca.gov. Please see the CDI links below.Â
- CDI Home Page
- CDI Safer from Wildfires
- CDI Fire Insurance Rate Information (Press Release Oct 2022)
- New Regulations: Fire Risk Mitigation Factors (14CCR Title 10) (Effective April10,2023)
- CDI List of Insurers Currently Offering Discounts
The FHRP Unit may also be able to answer questions about the specific fire risk mitigation factors.
For general questions about community wildfire preparedness, you can reach the FHRP Unit at fhrp@ventura.org or 805-389-9759
