CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: JULY 8, 2026 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF THE CALIFORNIA BOARD OF FORESTRY AND
FIRE PROTECTION'S DESIGNATION OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
TO THE FIRE RISK REDUCTION COMMUNITY LIST
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Fire Department
SUMMARY:
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has officially designated the City of Palm Springs as a Fire Risk Reduction Community and added the City to the Fire Risk Reduction Community List (FRRCL). This designation recognizes the City's proactive efforts to reduce wildfire risk through vegetation management programs, community risk reduction initiatives, public education, and the adoption of enhanced wildfire prevention measures.
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the report regarding the City of Palm Springs' inclusion on the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection's Fire Risk Reduction Community List (FRRCL).
BACKGROUND:
The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection established the Fire Risk Reduction Community List to recognize local jurisdictions that have demonstrated meaningful actions to reduce wildfire risk and improve community preparedness. Communities are evaluated based on their implementation of wildfire mitigation strategies, public education initiatives, local policies, and programs designed to enhance resilience to wildfire hazards.
The City of Palm Springs has made significant investments in wildfire preparedness and mitigation efforts over the past several years. These efforts include the adoption and enforcement of local vegetation management requirements, implementation of defensible space initiatives, public outreach and education campaigns, fuel reduction projects on City-owned properties, and the adoption of enhanced wildfire prevention measures that exceed minimum state requirements.
City Council Staff Report
July 8, 2026 -- Page 2
City of Palm Springs Designation to the Fire Risk Reduction Community List As a result of these collective efforts, the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection officially designated Palm Springs as a Fire Risk Reduction Community and included the City on the Fire Risk Reduction Community List.
This recognition provides several benefits to the community. Inclusion on the Fire Risk Reduction Community List demonstrates Palm Springs' commitment to protecting lives, property, and natural resources while enhancing the City's overall wildfire resilience. The designation may strengthen the City's competitiveness for state and federal wildfire mitigation grants, support future funding opportunities for fuel reduction and community preparedness projects, and provide residents and businesses with added confidence that Palm Springs is implementing nationally recognized wildfire risk reduction practices.
Additionally, the designation may support efforts to improve insurance availability and affordability by demonstrating to insurers that the City has adopted proactive wildfire risk reduction measures and is committed to long-term community resilience.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The designation as a Fire Risk Reduction Community represents a significant accomplishment for the City of Palm Springs and validates the City's ongoing commitment to wildfire preparedness and community risk reduction. The designation recognizes the collaborative efforts of City staff, residents, community organizations, and regional partners in implementing programs and policies that reduce wildfire risk.
This recognition also positions the City favorably for future opportunities to pursue state and federal grant funding for wildfire mitigation, vegetation management, and community preparedness initiatives. Furthermore, the designation supports ongoing efforts to educate residents about defensible space, home hardening, and wildfire preparedness measures that can reduce risk to life and property.
As insurance carriers increasingly consider community-level wildfire mitigation efforts when assessing risk, designation on the Fire Risk Reduction Community List may also contribute to improved insurance availability and affordability over time. Although the City cannot guarantee insurance outcomes, this designation positions Palm Springs favorably as insurers increasingly consider community-level wildfire mitigation efforts when evaluating risk. Overall, this designation reinforces the City's ongoing commitment to proactive risk reduction, educating residents, reducing wildfire hazards, and promoting safer, more resilient neighborhoods.
Staff will continue to build upon this achievement by pursuing additional wildfire mitigation initiatives, implementation of vegetation management projects, and expansion of community education and outreach programs.
City Council Staff Report
July 8, 2026 -- Page 3
City of Palm Springs Designation to the Fire Risk Reduction Community List ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Pursuant to Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, this action is not a project because it consists solely of receiving and filing an informational report and will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change to the environment.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This item aligns with City Council’s Strategic Plan Broad Goal of Public Safety and Community Services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Paul Alvarado, Fire Chief
City Manager: Teresa Gallavan for Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Fire Community Risk Reduction List