FIRE ADAPTED PORTOLA HILLS CAL FIRE WILDFIRE PREVENTION GRANT 5GA22224
July 2023:CAL FIRE awarded a $2.9 million Wildfire Prevention Grant to the Fire Adapted Portola Hills Project.
The Fire Adapted Portola Hills Project, also known as the Portola Hills Neighborhood Fire Safe Project, will focus on bringing interior and exterior slopes into compliance with CAL FIRE and Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) standards for defensible space, concentrating on the removal of hazard fuels and the creation of vertical and horizontal spacing necessary to protect six inter-connected landowners in the LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The landowners collaborating to build community resilience are Portola Hills II, Canyon Rim in Portola Hills, Bella Palermo, Montecido at Portola Hills, Canyon View Homeowners Associations and the Lawrence brother properties.
The main focus of the grant is to remove hazardous fuel from community slopes, approximately 950,433.6 square feet of plant material, mainly Acacia redolens. 22 acres of hazardous fuel will be removed from perimeter slopes, adjacent to open spaces, interior slopes within 100 feet of home, and along evacuation routes to reduce the fuel load to protect the 2,192 homes within Portola Hills.
The project will begin summer of 2024. Check back soon for planting plans meeting OCFA Vegetation Management Guidelines for the grant treatment zones.
PROJECT FUNDING
CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program provides funding for wildfire prevention projects and activities in and near wildfire threatened communities that focus on increasing the protection of people, structures, and communities. Funded activities include Hazardous Fuels Reduction, Wildfire Prevention Planning, and Wildfire Prevention Education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Wildfire Prevention Grants are funded in whole or part by Cap-and-Trade auction proceeds appropriated by the California Legislature to CAL FIRE, who is responsible for administering funds allocated from the CCI Program.
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The Fire Adapted Portola Hills Project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Home Hardening Links
The area within 5 feet of your home is crucial for wildfire protection. Learn how to keep your home and family safe with these tips and articles.
01
Are You Wildfire Ready? Ready, Set, Go! gives you the tools to protect you, your family, property and community from wildfires.
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In California, wildfires are not a matter of “if” but “when”. Stay safe with this 3-step wildfire preparation plan.
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Fire demonstration shows survivability of structures with at least 5 feet of absolute clearance
