Wildfire Resilience Program
Identifying, developing, and delivering specialized recovery and preparedness resources, training opportunities, and emergency funding for small farms and communities in California impacted by wildfire and those seeking to prepare against future threats.
What Does Resilience Mean for Farmers?
Farms often serve as buffers between fires and areas of high population density. Helping small farms become more resilient against wildfires has co-benefits for our communities. On-farm wildfire resilience relies on the concept of stacked practices such as implementing preparedness methods like structure hardening in conjunction with ecological farming benefits derived from prescribed/cultural burning, integrated livestock/grazing, etc. Pairing this approach, along with building the capacity of community partners to respond to emergencies, often reduces overall damage and recovery needs. Resilience is also founded on multiway sharing of knowledge and resources to address impacts, test new ideas, address gaps, and prepare for future disasters.
Technical Assistance
Provided to CA-based agricultural operators seeking to access help with identifying best practices for fuel load reduction, wildfire recovery support, and matching appropriate funding sources with application guidance.
Resources
From tailored grazing programs and prescribed burn trainings to farmworker safety and livestock evacuation planning, we have you covered! Browse our collection of resources for farmers, community members, and agricultural professionals.
Podcasts, Social Media Groups, Publications
Get connected with others through these online, interactive groups and gain knowledge from the farming community!
Resilience Forum
Help us create a user driven forum by submitting questions! In the near future, users will be able to vote on answers and help improve outreach to farming communities.
Wildfire Funding Opportunities
Check out the emergency funding offered by CAFF and determine eligibility for other cost-share type programs from State and Federal agencies.
Stay Informed!
Subscribe to CAFF's monthly newsletter for the latest news and resources on small scale agriculture in CA. For Wildfire specific updates, make sure to check "Wildfire Resilience" in the Special Alerts check box list.
Latest News & Updates
Maneuvering Through Wildfire Evacuations – for Small Farmers
Farmers face increasing fire frequency, size and severity due to several factors, including climate change, the spread of invasive grasses and by changing farming practices.
5 Key Wildfire Resilience Practices
It’s not always obvious that some of the ecological farming practices used frequently by farmers, also provide wildfire protection and recovery benefits. Check out the
Navigating Public Safety Power Shut Offs for Farmers
PG&E will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff, also called a PSPS, in response to severe weather as a public safety measure. After the catastrophic
Wildfires, Smoke & Livestock
Severe wildfires expose humans and animals to injuries both from burns and inhalation of unhealthy air containing smoke and particulates. These particulates can build up
After the Burn: Managing Forestland After a Wildfire
A comprehensive guide for managing your forestland after a burn, including an assessment tool, emergency rehabilitation, and post fire management practices.
Creating Wildfire Adapted Homes & Landscapes
What Can Be Done to Reduce Structure Loss from Wildfire? Treating the Vegetation: Defensible Space. Protecting Homes through Better Design and Materials. Defensible Space as
CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Team
Amber Schat
Wildfire Resilience Specialist
Amber Schat
Wildfire Resilience Specialist
amber[at]caff.org