Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP)

Community Wildfire Preparedness

Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP)

Annual Fire Hazard Clearance Deadline The Fire Hazard Reduction Program, commonly known as “FHRP”, is the cornerstone of our Wildland Fire Action Plan. Property owners included in the program will receive an annual “Notice to Abate Fire Hazard”. Property owners are expected to maintain their property free of fire hazards or nuisance vegetation year round. See Ventura County Fire Code Chapter 49 for specific requirements of the FHRP program. For more information contact FHRP at (805) 389-9759 or fhrp@ventura.org 

Ventura County Fire Department Receives 2024-2026 Fire Risk Reduction Community Recognition
The fire department’s recognition covers all properties within its jurisdiction, which is all of Ventura County except cities of Ventura, Oxnard and Fillmore. VCFD Boundary Map

Being on that list is one of two community level fire mitigation measures insurance companies must take into consideration when setting rates. Designation as a Firewise USA community by the National Fire Prevention Association is the other.

Click here for more information.

BRUSH CLEARANCE NOTICE AND REQUIREMENTS

Notices to Abate Fire Hazard are mailed on April 20th each year. For more information, see the links below. 

Contact FHRP

If you would like to notify the Fire District that your required fire hazard clearance has been completed or to request additional information, please click here.

REAL ESTATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE INSPECTIONS (AB38)

For Information regarding Real Estate Defensible Space Compliance Reports for properties located in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones – Click here.  

FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES

Click here to see if your property is in a State Mapped Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ)

PREPARING FOR WILDFIRE

Fire Safe Councils:
There are 5 Fire Safe Councils within Ventura County. These Fire Safe Councils are helping residents that live in fire hazard neighborhoods throughout Ventura County lower their wildfire risk. To find your local Fire Safe Council and their contact information, please view the map here.  

Home Wildfire Assessments:
Free Home Wildfire & Hardening Assessments are also provided by the Fire Safe Councils in locations prone to wildfires. 

Wildfire Home Hardening Information:

Additional Information and Resources:

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS):  

University of California Cooperative Extension Fire in California.

DEFENSIBLE SPACE REQUIREMENTS

LANDSCAPE AND FUEL MODIFICATION PLANS

FIREWISE COMMUNITY INFORMATION

The Ventura County Fire Department is launching Firewise Communities within Ventura County. The Firewise USA® recognition program is administered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level. The Firewise USA program is a part of Ventura County’s efforts to ensure communities are prepared against wildfire. Becoming a Firewise USA-recognized community also allows for potential insurance discounts.

To learn more about Firewise USA or to become a Firewise USA community, please contact the FHRP Unit.

FIRE INSURANCE RELATED INFORMATION 

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has several resources that can assist homeowners regarding fire insurance, including new regulations for insurance companies. If you have questions regarding a notice you received from your insurer about wildfire risk on your property, you can contact the Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357 or online chat at  insurance.ca.gov. Please see the CDI links below. 

The FHRP Unit may also be able to answer questions about the specific fire risk mitigation factors.

For general questions about community wildfire preparedness, you can reach the FHRP Unit at fhrp@ventura.org or 805-389-9759

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