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)
As part of our RFFC leadership, IECF has developed a Regional Priority Plan (RPP) for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The RPP is a strategic, community-driven roadmap that identifies the region’s most urgent wildfire resilience needs and highlights projects that will strengthen forest health, protect people and property, and support long-term recovery. Developed in collaboration with local partners, tribes, agencies, and community organizations, the RPP is now live and available to explore.
THE PLAN
- Regional Priority Planning
- Looking Ahead
THE PLAN
REGIONAL PRIORITY PLAN
The Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) program is built on a statewide framework that uses science and local partnerships to tackle one of our biggest challenges: protecting people and land from wildfires.
As the Regional Block Grantee, IECF worked with the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District and many partners to create a Regional Priority Plan (RPP) for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. This plan outlines the projects and strategies our region needs most—across different lands, agencies, and communities—to build wildfire resilience and support healthy forests.
It’s a tool to help us work smarter together, build local workforce capacity, bring in funding, and avoid duplicating efforts. The RPP reflects what we’ve heard from across the region and sets the path forward.
Visit the RPP Website to view current projects, submit your own, or share wildfire ordinances that support community preparedness and response.
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
- September 4-5, 2025: Inland Empire Spring Regional Meeting of the Task Force
- 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
- California Department of Conservation
- California Fire Safe Council
- Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program
- Inland Empire Resource Conservation District
- My Safe: Riverside
- Rivers and Lands Conservancy
- Riverside/Corona Resource Conservation District
- Santa Ana Watershed Association
- Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
- San Jacinto Basin Resource Conservation District
- TEAM RCD
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.
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.
Inland Empire California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force Regional Meeting
California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force
Hosted by the University of Redlands, the Inland Empire Community Foundation and the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, the next meeting of the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force will take place September 4 and 5 in Redlands.
The agenda will highlight the 2025 Action Plan and issues of regional importance. The meeting will open with a Resource Fair to showcase local organizations at work in the region. On September 5, Task Force Partners will host field tours offering immersive opportunities to better understand the critical landscape health and community wildfire resilience work being done in the Inland Empire and the greater Southern California region.
Registration is required for in-person attendance. Virtual attendance is also available.
Visit the Regional Meeting page for all relevant information including event calendar, tours descriptions, lodging, and directions.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE is AUGUST 31!
REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON
REGISTER FOR THE LIVESTREAM
September 5 – Field Tours: Tour information and registration will be available soon!
Questions? Contact: Foresttaskforce@fire.ca.gov
David Hernandez
Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Coordinator
In his role as Regional Forest and Fire Coordinator for IECF, David Hernandez works with USFS and partners across the state to identify collaborative opportunities and implement cross-boundary forest health and resiliency projects. Learn more about the program here.
