Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)

Discussion with Mr. Anthony Farmer, Ashe County Ranger                                                              

There are two fire protection programs available to the Laurel Mountain community.  These programs are implemented in cooperation with our local fire department.  

 Community Protection Plans (CPPs)

The USDA Forest Service's Community Protection Grant Program was established to provide funding to states to prevent wildfires and mitigate fire hazards that threaten communities surrounding national forestland. NCFS, USDA Forest Service, communities and other cooperators are developing a mitigation and prevention plan for each national forest in North Carolina. NCFS uses controlled burning and mechanical treatments to reduce forest fuel loading in and around the communities identified on these plans. These services are performed at no cost to the landowner by the agency with funding assistance provided by the USDA Forest Service.

Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs)

The NC Forest Service works with local emergency management and fire departments to develop Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). CWPPs are holistic fire management plans that evaluate wildfire hazards and provide preparedness, mitigation, and prevention recommendations at the fire district level.

 The CWPP enables a community to plan how it will reduce the risk of wildfire. The plan identifies strategic sites and methods for fuel reduction projects across the landscape and jurisdictional boundaries. Benefits of having a CWPP include National Fire Plan funding priority for projects identified in a CWPP. The United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management can expedite the implementation of fuel treatments, identified in a CWPP, through alternative environmental compliance options offered under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA).

Additional information on this program is available on the NC Forest Service web site at www.ncforestservices.gov.  This program can be implemented on an individual property owner basis.  Property owners are encouraged to contact Mr. Anthony Farmer, County Ranger via email at anthony.farmer@ncagr.gov or call him at his office 336-982-2471.