WHY IS SB 973 IMPORTANT?
Senate Bill 973 would formalize the Wildfire County Coordinator Program in state law, building on a proven model that helps communities reduce wildfire risk through local coordination and action. Through this program, Wildfire County Coordinators work across California to bring together local, state, federal, Tribal, and community partners. They help communities plan, prioritize, and advance wildfire prevention, preparedness, mitigation, evacuation planning, and recovery efforts.
As wildfire threats continue to grow, many communities lack the staffing and coordination capacity needed to implement proven risk-reduction strategies effectively. SB 973 helps address that gap by strengthening a program that connects statewide wildfire resilience goals with on-the-ground action.
By supporting local capacity and collaboration, SB 973 helps ensure California’s wildfire investments deliver meaningful, measurable risk reduction where it matters most: in vulnerable communities across the state.
WHAT IS THE WILDFIRE COUNTY COORDINATOR PROGRAM?
PROGRAM IMPACT
Secured over $104M of vital funding for local mitigation and preparedness projects
Coordinated with over 10,000 organizations to increase collaboration, break down silos, and leverage resources
Educated and empowered over 970,000 participants to take action for wildfire resilience
Established more than 100 new FireWise Communities and Fire Safe Councils
Hosted over 4,100 events for community engagement, education, and to mobilize local efforts for wildfire resiliency
Delivered by the California Fire Safe Council in partnership with CAL FIRE and the State Fire Marshal, the Wildfire County Coordinator Program supports dedicated County Coordinators who help communities plan, prioritize, and implement wildfire resilience efforts tailored to local needs.
Since 2021, the Wildfire County Coordinator Program has helped turn statewide wildfire strategy into on-the-ground action. SB 973 formalizes this successful model in state statute, strengthening long-term coordination, accountability, and community resilience across California.
The Wildfire County Coordinator Program advances wildfire prevention, preparedness, mitigation, evacuation planning, fuels reduction, home hardening, defensible space, public education, and recovery planning. It helps ensure wildfire investments translate into meaningful local impact.
Importantly, the Wildfire County Coordinator Program is already funded through 2027, meaning SB 973 builds on existing investments without requiring a new state appropriation.
WILDFIRE COUNTY COORDINATOR TESTIMONIALS
The County Coordinator Grant further enhanced and supported the collaboration already occurring in the county. We’ve reduced redundancy and increased communication specifically with the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative.
Stephen Watson
Ventura County
We have increased staffing from 0 to 4 and raised $4 million to hire more, create defensible space around 372 homes, and complete 1,500 home assessments.
Aaron Babcock
Del Norte County
Under the County Coordinator Grant Program, we’ve been able to significantly expand our youth education impact by implementing three new school programs and getting back into the classroom with students for the first time since the 2018 Camp Fire.
Lauren de Terra
Butte County
The Wildfire County Coordinators Program has allowed the wildfire mitigation stakeholders within the county to catalyze inertia as a collaborative rather than individually. Power in numbers.
Oscar Hood
Orange County
The County Coordinators Gran has allowed Nevada County to develop a robust program to create a roadmap to wildfire resiliency that recognizes rural challenges and community values. The coordinator position in Nevada County OES has acted as an organizational catalyst.
Alessandra Zambrano
Nevada County
