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COUNTY MITIGATION PLANS

Completed County Wildfire Protection Plans
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Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan: A Handbook for Wildland-Urban Interface Communities
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    County Wildfire Protection Plans    

What is a County Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)?
County Wildfire Protection Plans (referred to as Wildland Fire Mitigation Plans by FEMA) are comprehensive documents developed by a county government in order to explicitly state the wildfire threat risks faced by a county as well as the steps that need to be taken in order to mitigate those risks. The plans are developed by a County Wildland Fire Interagency Group, which includes representatives from local, state, and federal entities who work or reside within that county.

CWPPs are currently designed to meet three separate criteria. First, they are designed to allow counties to identify areas most susceptible to wildfire as described in the Idaho Statewide Implementation Strategy for the National Fire Plan. Second, they are used to meet the wildland fire component of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (i.e. they are the Wildland Fire Mitigation component of an “All Hazard” Plan as described below). Third, they are intended to meet the requirements of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) as outlined in the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.

The Idaho Statewide Implementation Strategy designates county governments as lead conveners of County Wildfire Protection Plans. For this reason, most plans in the state have been developed at the county level (other states have chosen to develop their plans at the community level). Counties are not required to develop Wildfire Protection Plans. However, those counties that choose not to do so may not be eligible for some types of federal grant funding in the event of a wildfire or other natural disaster.

What is the Status of CWPPs in Idaho?
Is a “County Wildfire Protection Plan” the same as a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) as outlined under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act?
Yes. Idaho has adopted the term “County Wildfire Protection Plan” or “CWPP” to emphasize that county governments have taken a leadership role in implementing these plans. The document serves the same function as a Community Wildfire Protection Plan under HFRA.

However, while HFRA was enacted in 2003, Idaho has been developing County Wildfire Protection Plans since 2001 (pursuant to the creation of the National Fire Plan and the passage of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000). Many plans written prior to the passage of HFRA have subsequently been made compliant with the new legislation, but some have yet to be updated. The Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group is working with these counties in order to ensure HFRA compliance as soon as possible.

    County "All Hazard" Plans    

What is an “All Hazard” Plan?
An “All Hazard” Plan, also known as a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan, is a document that comprehensively identifies mitigation strategies for all potential natural disasters that may occur in a given county. A County Wildfire Protection Plan (referred to as a Wildland Fire Mitigation Plan by FEMA) comprises just one chapter of an “All Hazard” Plan since wildfire is only one of Idaho’s natural hazards. In Idaho, the decision was made to write Wildland Fire Mitigation Plans first and then write the remaining components of the “All Hazard” Plan at a later date.

Requirements for “All Hazard” Plans are outlined in 44 CFR § 201.6 and the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. DMA 2000 emphasizes greater interaction between state and county mitigation planning activities to create a comprehensive mitigation program at the state level.

Jurisdictions that have completed “All Hazard” Plans are in a position to apply for federal mitigation funds from FEMA to reduce the risk of natural hazards in their communities.

What is the Status of “All Hazard” Plans in Idaho?