CAL FIRE StrategicPlan24 Web - Flipbook - Page 6
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
OUR HISTORY
Established in 1885, and elevated to departmental
Fire prevention and mitigation efforts go beyond
status in 1977, the Division of Forestry forms the
forest management to include defensible space
cornerstone of the California Department of Forestry
and home hardening guidance and education,
and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), tasked with serving
supporting the development of Firewise USA©
and safeguarding the people and protecting the
communities, and tracking progress on fuel
property and resources of California.
reduction activities. Office of the State Fire
Marshal programs ensure that all state properties
As it gets hotter and drier,
we are boldly meeting the
challenges of California’s
climate reality. With a
resolute commitment
toward adapting to
combating the evolving
impacts of catastrophic
wildfires, we have increased
wildfire prevention and
mitigation efforts.
CAL FIRE plays
a critical role
in tackling
the wild昀椀re
and forest
management
challenges
that impact
the people of
California.
and buildings are compliant with modern fire
safety codes. CAL FIRE law enforcement officers
investigate the origin, cause, and circumstances of
fires, explosions, and bombings on State of California
property and partner with local authorities in
jurisdictions that do not have investigative resources.
Behind the public-facing programs that work to
keep Californians safer from wildfire and ensure
we are protecting and restoring California’s
environment, our employees are working to
develop and use cutting-edge technology that
Charged with protecting
can help predict where wildfires are most prone
over 31 million acres of California’s privately-owned
to start and how they spread. We also employ
wildlands, we respond to an average of over 550,000
a dynamic team of research data analysts,
emergencies each year. We also provide all-risk
environmental scientists, geographic information
emergency services in 36 of the state’s 58 counties via
system specialists, and administrative personnel
contracts with local governments.
that support the mission at every level, creating a
strong and dedicated workforce.
| CAL FIRE STRATEGIC PLAN 2024
CAL FIRE plays a critical role in tackling the wildfire and
6
forest management challenges that impact the people
CAL FIRE organizationally reports to the California
of California. Our resource management programs
Natural Resources Agency whose mission is to restore,
are responsible for enforcing the Forest Practice Rules,
protect, and manage the state’s natural, historical,
guiding policy on the increased use of prescribed fire,
and cultural resources for current and future
ensuring environmental quality laws are followed on
generations using creative approaches and solutions
every project, and supporting research that advances
based on science, collaboration, and respect for all
the understanding of wildfire in California.
the communities and interests involved.
