Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program: Building a safer future for our communities and forests
Working Together for Wildfire Resilience in the Inland Empire
The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is proud to be a partner in the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) program. This statewide initiative, administered by the Department of Conservation under the auspices of the California Natural Resources Agency, helps regions like ours develop and implement priority plans for improving forest health and protecting communities from wildfires.
IECF was awarded a two-year block grant of $1.6 million, a flexible pool of funds to help Riverside and parts of San Bernardino increase forest and fire resilience in the face of a changing climate. The Foundation serves as administrator of the funds, bringing together local and regional stakeholders and distributing dollars for greater capacity to work and plan together for these big issues.
IECF Regional Priority Plan (RPP): Dedicated Website
The Inland Empire, consisting of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, is increasingly vulnerable to wildfires. As climate change intensifies and urban development expands into fire-prone areas, a coordinated approach to wildfire resiliency is essential. The Regional Priority Plan (RPP) addresses these challenges by fostering collaboration among local governments, community organizations, and stakeholders to enhance our capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfires. The RPP identifies regional natural resource concerns exacerbated by wildfires and prioritizes actionable projects to mitigate fire risk, build community capacity, and increase resilience.
ACCESS THE RPP WEBSITEIECF Regional Priority Plan (RPP): Request for Project Submittals
The Inland Empire Community Foundation’s Regional Forest & Fire Capacity (RFFC) program invites regional partners to submit their forest health, fire resilience, or fuel reduction plans to our Regional Priority Plan (RPP) Portal. By sharing these projects, we’ll be able to identify and support critical initiatives to protect our region from wildfires. Contributions will be featured on our RPP story map website, showcasing the collaborative efforts of our community to build a more resilient future.
RPP Project Submittal PortalIECF Regional Priority Plan (RPP): Request for Wildfire Ordinances
Ordinances, laws, and regulations are essential tools in helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfires. They support fire-safe building codes, guide land use to reduce fire risk, and require regular vegetation management to lower fuel loads. These rules also ensure that emergency plans are in place, promote public education on wildfire preparedness, and encourage coordination across agencies and sectors. In tandem, these efforts strengthen wildfire resilience and help protect people, property, and natural resources. Ordinances can include the following:
- Building Codes and Standards
- Land Use Planning
- Vegetation Management
- Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans
- Public Education and Awareness
- Coordination and Collaboration
Regional partners are invited to submit their wildfire ordinances through the link below. For more information, contact the IECF RFFC Program Manager at iecfrpp@iegives.org.
ORDINANCE SUBMITTAL PORTALRequests to Suspend State Statutes and Regulations
Governor Newsom issued an Emergency Proclamation (Proclamation) on March 1, 2025 to confront the severe ongoing risk of catastrophic wildfires that threatens public safety across California.
The Proclamation authorizes the Secretaries of the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) to determine which projects are eligible for suspension of certain State of California statutory and regulatory requirements to expedite critical fuels reduction projects, while at the same time protecting public resources and the environment.
LEARN MOREFire Hazard Severity Zones
Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps recognize areas of increased fire danger in California. View the current and proposed maps, and learn more about Fire Hazard Severity Zones, as provided by CAL FIRE, Office of the State Fire Marshal.
FHSZ Maps and InfoTHE PLAN
- Regional Priority Planning
- Looking Ahead
THE PLAN
LOCAL ISSUES
The Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) program is centered on the implementation of the regional framework that has been created by the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force through science and technology that unite local and regional partners to solve local and regional challenges in protecting communities and sustaining forested lands.
As the Regional Block Grantee, the RFFC for the Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) will develop a Regional Priority Plan (RPP) that identifies, coordinates, prioritizes, and advances wildfire and forest resilience projects and initiatives.
In collaboration with the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, the RFFC program manager will develop the RPP for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties that align partners’ priority projects with an “all lands” approach across jurisdictions and ownership. This joint partnership will align workforce capacity, develop regional priority projects, and generate funding for projects while effectively reducing costs by removing duplication of efforts for the Inland Empire.
EMPOWERING COMMUNITY FIRE ADAPTATION
- Fire Adapted Communities – California Wildfire & Forest Resilience – The first in a series of information hubs to increase awareness and understanding of key issue areas.
- Fire Adapted Communities – This is the place to learn about fire-adapted communities, find tools and resources, and get inspired by community wildfire adaptation work across the country!
- Community Resilience to Wildland Fire – Learn more about the programs and strategies that are dedicated to wildfire resilience, and why they are increasingly important with guidance from the WFCA.
- RFFC 2023 Grantee CA Map
RESOURCES
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
- The Rose Foundation California Watershed Protection Fund to support projects designed to benefit the surface water quality of many of California’s watersheds and their ecosystems. (Letters of inquiry due 2/23/24, Invited applications due 4/1/24)
- 2023/2024 State Fire Capacity (SFC) Grant to support hazardous fuels reduction, community wildfire prevention planning, and education and mitigation activities in California and the Tahoe region of Nevada. (Opens 2/1/24, Closes 3/15/24)
- CAL Fire: $8 million Wildfire Resilience Block Grants to support private forestland owners. (Opens 1/29/24, Closes 2/26/24, 5pm)
UPDATES
MEETINGS
- April 4-5, 2024: California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force Meeting: SoCal Region-San Diego Zoo Safari Park | Escondido, CA
- December 15, 2023: California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force Meeting: Sacramento
- September 13, 2023: Southern California Wildfire Resilience Convening: Summer Meeting-Crestmore Manor, Jurupa Valley
RFFC UPDATES
- RFFC and Shared Stewardship Webpage: Improving forest health and resiliency goes hand-in-hand with a collaborative approach. IECF launched two new webpages that delve deeper into IECF’s role in the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) program and the Shared Stewardship program. Please take a moment to visit these pages and learn more about what we’re doing for our forest communities in the Inland Empire.
- On May 14, 2024, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small announced $250 million to help at-risk communities protect their homes, businesses and infrastructure from catastrophic wildfire, made worse by the climate crisis, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The Inland Empire’s Community Foundation Regional Forest & Fire Capacity coordinator worked alongside the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RC-RCD) during the application phase for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant seeking funding for a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to service the Cleveland National Forest and other underserved areas. The RC-RCD was awarded $250k for their CWPP development. Now in its second year, the Community Wildfire Defense Grant program helps communities in the wildland-urban interface maintain resilient landscapes, create fire-adapted communities, and ensure safe, effective wildfire response — all goals of the unifying National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and aligned with the objectives of the National Climate Resilience Framework.
Learn more: Community Wildfire Defense Grants – Funded Proposals | US Forest Service (usda.gov)
- In collaboration with Santa Ana Watershed Association on Arundo Removal Project in the Santa Ana River: Project Completion expected by May 2024.
- In attendance for Ca. Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force meeting on December 15, 2023, at California Natural Resources Agency-Sacramento
PRESS BOX
- CAL Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer
- Bill Text: SB-1101 Fire prevention: prescribed fire: state contracts: mapping (ca.gov)
- IECF Launches Regional Forest & Fire Capacity and Shared Stewardship Advisor Web Pages
- Governor’s Monthly Update
- California Announces $98 Million in Forest Health Grants, Provides Update on Projects from $1.5 Billion Wildfire Resilience Package
- State Awards $72 Million to Accelerate Building Fire Resilient Communities and Landscapes Across California
- David Hernandez Named IECF’s Forest & Fire Coordinator, Shared Stewardship Advisor
PARTNERS
NEWS & UPDATES
- IECF Regional Priority Plan (RPP) Announces New Advisory Committee Members
- California Wildfire Task Force Announces Suspension of State Statutes and Regulations to Expedite Critical Fuels Reduction Projects; IECF Offers Support
- Special screening of Firebreak: a documentary on the intersection of climate change and social justice
- Wildfire Resilience in Action: Insights from the SoCal Convening
- Southwestern Riverside Regional Collaboration for a fire-safe future (and steps homeowners can take now)
- SoCal Regional Wildfire Resilience Convening – Sharing knowledge for the protection of our forests and communities
- David Hernandez Named IECF’s Forest & Fire Coordinator
Regional Framework: A United Front
A collaborative approach: The RFFC program recognizes that different areas within the Inland Empire have unique needs and challenges. That’s why IECF will work closely with existing partners like the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) and other Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) across Riverside County. See our list of partners above.
This collaborative approach allows us to:
- Share resources and expertise: We’ll pool our knowledge and funding to maximize the impact of our efforts.
- Focus on regional priorities: We’ll work together to identify and address the most pressing wildfire risks in the entire Inland Empire.
- Strengthen partnerships: By connecting different organizations, we’ll create a stronger network of support for long-term solutions.
IECF’s Role
As a regional block grantee, our goals include:
- Fostering collaboration: We’ll facilitate communication and cooperation between various organizations and stakeholders – from fire officials to landowners – ensuring everyone works toward shared goals.
- Building organizational capacity: We’ll help RCDs and other partners develop the skills and resources they need to effectively manage wildfire prevention and restoration projects, including offering assistance with grant writing to access funding.
- Promoting civic engagement: We’ll involve local communities in planning and decision-making, building broader support for wildfire resilience efforts that improve forest health, create fire-adapted landscapes, and protect homes and lives.
The Plan
In collaboration with our partners, we will:
- Identify and implement projects: Over the next two years, we’ll help communities plan and complete important restoration and mitigation projects.
- Develop a Regional Priority Plan: We’ll work with our partners to create a comprehensive plan for building long-term wildfire resilience across the entire Inland Empire.
- Focus on implementation: IECF recognizes that building capacity ultimately leads to action. We’ll place a strong emphasis on project planning and preparation, ensuring our efforts translate into real-world solutions that contribute to California’s wildfire and climate goals.
While IECF does not have direct experience in leading project implementation, our design and partnerships will steer us towards creating or contributing to a successful Regional Priority Plan that makes a positive difference for our communities and forests.
David Hernandez, our Regional Forest and Fire Coordinator, plays a key role in these efforts. He not only leads the IECF’s RFFC initiatives but also works across the state as a Shared Stewardship Advisor. This dual role allows him to connect local needs with statewide resources and expertise, creating a stronger network for wildfire resilience.
Get Involved
Together, we can make a difference. Through the RFFC program, IECF is working with communities and partners across the region to build a safer, more fire-adapted future for everyone. Your donation to an IECF Disaster Preparedness Fund will support these efforts and strengthen our communities during their most challenging times.
David Hernandez
Regional Forest and Fire Coordinator | Shared Stewardship Advisor
