Mammoth Lakes, California
The town of Mammoth Lakes, California is the county’s primary employment and services center and its ski resort, Mammoth Mountain, is a regional destination. During ski season, the population can increase five-fold. At 8,000 feet in elevation, the community is surrounded by forest land. Mammoth Lakes also serves as a gateway to Inyo National Forest and Yosemite National Park. Wildfires have caused evacuations in Mammoth Lakes three times in the last three decades.
The CPAW team worked with Mammoth Lakes in 2018 and provided a set of recommendations to reduce its wildfire risk. CPAW recommended adopting a comprehensive wildfire hazard assessment and conducting parcel-level risk assessments. CPAW also provided guidance for updates to Safety Elements in the town’s General Plan. These updates include opportunities to identify neighborhoods with limited access, integrate wildfire into trails and open space planning, updating landscaping requirements, and addressing construction for new and existing development. CPAW also provided guidance to help resolve policy conflicts and work through the adoption process. CPAW also recommended developing a local Community Wildfire Protection Plan to coordinate and prioritize mitigation activities.
Snapshot
- 2018 CPAW Community
- Population (2015): 8,104
- Growth Rate (2010-2015): 1.2%
- Fuel Type: Jeffrey pine, red fir