East County News ServiceApril 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — With “fire season” now a year-round threat, public input is growing in importance as part of information fire officials need to be aware of for the most success in fire protection and fire suppression.
Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones has put out the word that the state needs residents to weigh in on the 2026 San Diego County Community Wildfire Protection Plan Update.
The CWPP is a strategic document that will dictate the region’s fire mitigation priorities and grant eligibility for the next five years.
The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County, in partnership with the Resource Conservation District and the California Department of Forestry and Fire, is leading the effort to modernize existing 2019 framework.
Leaders say that the ultimate goal is to align regional defenses with evolving state and federal wildfire resilience standards — while ensuring that the work of more than 40 individual community plans across the county remains cohesive.
Jones (R-San Diego), whose 40th District includes much of the county’s most fire-prone wildland-urban interfaces, said that the plan’s success depends on boots-on-the-ground insight provided by residents.
“When it comes to fire prevention and safety, it is crucial that you join the conversation,” Jones wrote in an email to constituents “Your voice matters in protecting homes, communities, and landscapes. Community input ensures the plan reflects real local needs. The Community Wildfire Protection Plan aligns with the region’s cohesive fire strategy and helps guide future projects, funding priorities, and emergency preparedness.”
Firefighter staffing part of the challenge
The 2026 update comes amid a broader legislative push in Sacramento to increase firefighter staffing and streamline home-hardening tax credits. California lawmakers are pushing legislation to boost wildfire resilience, including transitioning about 3,000 seasonal Cal Fire staff to full-time roles to combat year-round fire risks.
Legislative efforts also include the “SAFE HOME” Act (California Assembly Bill 888) offering tax credits/grants for home hardening, and California Senate Bill 1084 (Fire Safe Home Tax Credits Act) providing tax credits for fire-safe upgrades.
Leaders have shared that an updated CWPP is often a prerequisite for securing competitive state and federal funding, such as the State Fire Capacity Grant Program, which can provide up to $200,000 for hazardous fuels reduction and outreach projects.
The draft plan focuses on a “multi-layered” defense strategy. Unlike previous versions, the 2026 update places heavier emphasis on Zone 0 — the immediate five-foot ember-resistant buffer around structures and the integration of new home-hardening technologies.
A regional look
San Diego County currently has nearly 50 approved CWPPs, ranging from backcountry territories like Julian, Mt. Laguna and Palomar Mountain to Del Mar and Chula Vista to rugged. The countywide update will ensures that a fuels treatment project in Ramona complements the evacuation planning in Poway or Lakeside.
The Fire Safe Council noted that all plans must adhere to the newly updated 2025 CWPP Template to ensure compatibility with CAL FIRE’s Unit Chief approval process.
The public comment period is currently open. Residents can review the draft (click on “Access the DRAFT plan”) to ensure their specific neighborhood risks are accounted for.
Submit Feedback: Comments can be submitted through the Official Community Feedback Form.
For technical assistance or questions regarding the update process, residents can contact Morgan Dioli at the RCD of San Diego County at (619) 562-0096 ext. 107 or via email at morgan.dioli@rcdsandiego.org
Progress updates will continue to be presented during the Fire Safe Council’s bimonthly General Meetings throughout the 2026 calendar year.