CPAW News - Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire

CPAW Updates 2020

August 2020. CPAW released its mid-year program report detailing the year’s work plan, outcomes to-date, and expectations for the remainder of the year.

Community Resilience in the Era of Megafires

July 2020. Watch a video presentation by CPAW team member Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D., demonstrating how community resilience to wildfire needs to include planning and adaptation strategies for homes and neighborhoods.

New data tool: Communities threatened by wildfire

July 2020. A new analysis from CPAW partner Headwaters Economics found that from 2000-2019, nearly 2,000 U.S. communities experienced a wildfire of 100+ acres within two miles–close enough for ember impact. A searchable, interactive map provides details for the entire U.S.

Wildfire and Vulnerable Populations: Testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee

June 2020. Watch CPAW team member Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D., testify before the House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, at a June 10, 2020 forum entitled “Examining Coronavirus Impacts on Wildland Fire Operations and Vulnerable Communities.”

Reports: Federal Wildfire Policy & Land Use Planning to Reduce Risk

April 2020. A pair of new research papers from CPAW team member Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D., outline the history of federal wildfire policy and the legacy of suppression and how land use planning can reduce wildfire risk to homes and communities. The papers...

Now Available: Wildfire Risk to Communities

April 2020. Wildfire Risk to Communities is a free, easy-to-use website with interactive maps, charts, and resources to help communities understand, explore, and reduce wildfire risk. It was created by the USDA Forest Service under the direction of...

New Report: Implementation Resources

January 2020. The Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program released a new report with examples, case studies, and resources to help communities to build capacity and fund wildfire risk reduction efforts. The report includes federal- and...

CPAW Announces Communities for 2020

December 2019. The Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program announced it will provide customized services to six new communities in 2020, in addition to providing research and training to additional communities across the country. The new...

Recommendations Released for Four Communities

December 2019. The Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program has presented final recommendations to four communities: Gunnison County, CO; Mariposa County, CA; Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ; and Redding, CA. The CPAW team worked with each community for...

Highlights from the Building for Wildfire Summit

September 2019. Video and highlights from an event that brought together diverse community leaders to explore practices for building fire-adapted communities.

Now Accepting Applications

September, 2019. The Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW) program is accepting applications through October 18, 2019. CPAW works with communities to reduce wildfire risk through improved land use planning. Selected communities receive free, customized...

Montana Building for Wildfire Summit: Registration Open

July 2019. Registration is now open for the Southwest Montana Building for Wildfire Summit in Big Sky, Montana, on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. The Building for Wildfire Summit is an opportunity for developers, contractors, architects, landscapers, local businesses,...

CPAW Testifies at the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources

May, 2019. CPAW co-founder and Headwaters Economics Executive Director, Dr. Ray Rasker shared lessons and strategies from the CPAW program with the House Committee on Natural Resources, National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee at a hearing on Wildfire...

Austin Wildfire Symposium

May, 2019. Austin, Texas Fire Department Wildfire Division hosted its seventh annual Wildfire Symposium, bringing together more than 130 fire personnel, community leaders, and homeowners to share strategies and explore opportunities for wildfire resilience. CPAW team...

Presentation on Community Hazard Assessments in the CPAW Program

April, 2019. CPAW team members presented about Community Hazard Assessments in the CPAW Program at the Fire Lab Seminar Series hosted by the Rocky Mountain Research Station. The presentation outlines the CPAW program and land use planning tools to reduce...