Portola City Council
June 10, 2026

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-129
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Jurisdiction / Fire Hazard Severity Zones Critical Facility Category and Critical Facility Type
Facility Count
At Risk Populations Facilities Total 7
Very High Total 18
High
Essential Services Facilities
Essential Government Operations 1
Public Safety 1
Public Utility Plant and Substation Facilities 3
Essential Services Facilities Total 5
At Risk Populations Facilities
Designated Emergency Shelter 1
At Risk Populations Facilities Total 1
High Total 6
Portola Total 24
Source: CGS, Plumas County GIS, City of Portola
Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural, historic, and cultural resources located within areas at risk to wildfire would be vulnerable. Should a wildfire occur in the City, the impacts to natural, historic and cultural resources could be extensive and include air pollution, contamination from water runoff containing toxic products, and other environmental discharges or releases from burned materials affecting soils, habitat areas, wildlife, and aquatic resources.

Historic and cultural resources can be damaged or destroyed and are often more vulnerable due to their older age, construction type, and lack of fire prevention infrastructure such as sprinklers.

Impacts from Wildfire
Potential impacts from wildfire include loss of life and injuries; damage to structures and other improvements, natural and cultural resources, croplands, and timber; and loss of recreational opportunities.

Out of control wildfires can have catastrophic impacts. Wildfires can cause short-term and long-term disruption to the City. Fires can have devastating effects on watersheds through loss of vegetation and soil erosion, which may impact the City by changing runoff patterns, increasing sedimentation, reducing natural and reservoir water storage capacity, and degrading water quality. Fires can also affect air quality in the City; smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Smoke impacts may come from wildfires outside the City, as well as from within.

Although the physical damages and casualties arising from wildland-urban interface or conflagration fires may be severe, it is important to recognize that they also cause significant economic impacts by resulting in a loss of function of buildings and infrastructure. Economic impacts of loss of transportation and utility services may include traffic delays/detours from road and bridge closures and loss of electric power, potable water, and wastewater services. Schools and businesses can be forced to close for extended periods of time.

Recently, the threat of wildfire, combined with the potential for high winds, heat, and low humidity, has caused PG&E to initiate a PSPS which can also significantly impact a community through loss of services,

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-130
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
business closures, and other impacts associated with loss of power for an extended period. In addition, catastrophic wildfire can create favorable conditions for other hazards such as flooding, landslides, and erosion during the rainy season.

The impacts of a fire are felt long after the fire is extinguished. In addition to the loss of property in fires, the loss in vegetation and changes in surface soils alters the environment. When supporting vegetation is burned, hillsides become destabilized and prone to erosion. The burnt surface soils are harder and absorb less water. When winter rains come, this leads to increased runoff, erosion, and landslides in hilly areas.

Impacts that are not quantified, but can be anticipated in large future events, include:
➢ Injury and loss of life;
➢ Commercial and residential structural and property damage; ➢ Disruption of and damage to public infrastructure, utilities, and services; ➢ Damage to roads/bridges resulting in loss of mobility; ➢ Significant economic impact (jobs, sales, tax revenue) to the community; and ➢ Negative impact on commercial and residential property values Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the City may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the City of Portola include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future wildfire conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the City to wildfire.
➢ Population in the City of Portola is expected to shrink with the rest of the County. However, Portola has one large development, the Woodbridge project, that could move forward in the next five years, that would add over 1,000 units and associated populations to the City. If this development were to go forward, additional population growth would likely bring continued diversity to the City. Vulnerable population groups could face disproportionate effects from wildfire and should be planned for. Changes in population and population patterns may or may not increase the impacts and vulnerability of the City to this hazard depending on the location and nature of growth and continued planning for future hazard conditions.
➢ Land use planning should be proactive to address future hazard conditions. Locating new development, structures and critical facilities and infrastructure within or near areas of wildfire risk may put additional

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-131
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
development at risk. However, City building codes are in effect to reduce this risk and should be updated as necessary to continue to address future wildfire conditions. Specifically, with the release of the new 2025 LRA mapping for Plumas County, wildfire building codes should be updated as required to include enhanced measures to reduce wildfire impacts on new construction, and including the formal adoption of the new LRA maps. The Woodbridge development is located in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. This will likely increase the impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the City to this hazard. It should also be noted that once new building codes are adopted for LRA, should reduce vulnerability on new construction especially in the higher hazard zones.

Future Development
Additional growth and development within high and very high fire hazard severity zones in the City would place additional values at risk to wildfire. However, City building codes are in effect and should continue to be updated as appropriate to reduce future impacts.

Future development areas and their vulnerability to wildfire are discussed further in the below GIS analysis.

GIS Analysis
The City provided a future development area, the Woodbridge development project, which was used as the basis for the inventory of future development for the City. This area was mapped in GIS. Using GIS, the future development layer was intersected with the SRA/FRA and LRA fire hazard severity zone datasets.

No facilities fell in the high or very high SRA/FRA fire hazard severity zones. Figure A-33 shows the future development area overlayed on the LRA fire hazard severity zones. As shown in Table A-63, the future development area falls in the Very High fire hazard severity zone for the LRA.

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-132
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure A-33 City of Portola – Future Development in LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones Table A-63 City of Portola – Future Development Parcels and Acres in LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones
Future
Development /
Fire Hazard
Severity Zone
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel Count
Unimproved
Parcel Count
Total Acres Total
Improved
Acres
Total
Unimproved
Acres
Woodbridge at Portola, Inc.

Very High 6 0 6 398.52 0 398.52
Total 6 0 6 398.52 0 398.52
Source: CAL FIRE, City of Portola
A.5 Capability Assessment
Capabilities are the programs and policies currently in use to reduce hazard impacts or that could be used to implement hazard mitigation activities. This capabilities assessment is divided into five sections:
regulatory mitigation capabilities, administrative and technical mitigation capabilities, fiscal mitigation capabilities, mitigation education, outreach, and partnerships, and other mitigation efforts.

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-133
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
A.5.1. Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Table A-64 lists regulatory mitigation capabilities, including planning and land management tools, typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities and indicates those that are in place in the City of Portola.

Table A-64 City of Portola’s Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities Plans
In Place
Y/N
Does the plan address hazards? Can the plan be used to
carry out mitigation actions? When was it last updated?? Capital Improvements Plan N
Climate Change Adaptation Plan N
Community Wildfire Protection Plan Y (was current with the 2019 LHMP; yes, addresses hazards) General Plan/Comprehensive
Plan/Master Plan
Y Yes, addresses hazards. Policies and programs are included that may be used as mitigation actions. Update June 2024
Continuity of Operations Plan N
Economic Development Plan Y Economic Development Element is included in the General Plan 2045
Land Use Plan Y Land Use Element is included in the General Plan 2045 Local Emergency Operations Plan Y
Stormwater Management Plan Y
Transportation Plan Y Transportation Element is included in the General Plan 2045 Other
Land Use Planning and Ordinances Y/N
Is the ordinance an effective way to reduce hazard
impacts?
Is the ordinance adequately administered and enforced?
Acquisition of land for open space and
public recreation use
N
Building code Y Yes
Flood insurance rate maps Y NA- Produced by FEMA
Floodplain ordinance Y Yes
Natural hazard-specific ordinance
(stormwater, steep slope, wildfire)
N
Subdivision ordinance Y Yes
Zoning ordinance Y Yes
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? The City uses a Planning Consultant for a large portion of these requests. Efforts to staff this position internally have not been successful in the past for a variety of reasons. The City continues to balance the potential need for an internal resource for these efforts against a variable workload, lack of availability of local resources meeting the requirements of the position, and funding for consulting services. Having dedicated staff to support these functions would greatly assist in improving these capabilities.

Source: City of Portola

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-134
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
A.5.2. Administrative/Technical Mitigation Capabilities Table A-65 identifies the City department(s) responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in the City of Portola.

Table A-65 City of Portola’s Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities Administration
In
Place
Y/N
Describe capability
Is coordination effective?
Staff
Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations?
Is staff trained on hazards and mitigation?
Is coordination between agencies and staff effective?
Chief Building Official Y Director of Public Works
Civil Engineer, including dam and levee
safety
Y Consultant
Community Planner Y Consultant
Emergency Manager Y City Manager & CalOES assistance
Floodplain Administrator Y Director of Public Works
GIS Coordinator N
Planning Commission Y City Council temporarily serves as this function Other
Technical Y/N
Has capability been used to assess/mitigate risk in the past?
Grant writing N
Hazard data and information Y Planning consultant
GIS analysis N
Mutual aid agreements Y Beckworth Peak Fire Protection District, Plumas County Sherrif’s Office
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Grant writing specific to hazard mitigation efforts would help assist the City with these efforts overall.

Source: City of Portola
A.5.3. Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
Table A-66 identifies financial tools or resources that the City could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities.

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-135
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table A-66 City of Portola’s Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities Funding Resource
In Place
Y/N
Has the funding resource been used in past
and for what type of activities?
Could the resource be used to fund future
mitigation actions?
Capital improvements project funding N
Community Development Block Grant Y Underserved community project with PCIRC Federal funding programs (non-FEMA) Y
Fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric services Y
Impact fees for new development Y
State funding programs Y
Stormwater utility fee Y
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Grant writing specific to hazard mitigation efforts would help assist the City with these efforts overall.

Source: City of Portola
A.5.4. Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Table A-67 identifies education and outreach programs and methods already in place that could be/or are used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information.

Table A-67 City of Portola’s Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Program/Organization
In Place
Y/N
How widespread are each of these in your
community?
Community newsletters Y City website, mailers, and City Facebook messaging
Hazard awareness campaigns (such as Firewise,
Storm Ready, Severe Weather Awareness Week,
school programs, public events)
Y Firewise messaging
Local news Y Plumas Sun, Mountain Messenger, Sierra
Booster
Organizations that interact with underserved and
vulnerable communities
Y Veterans Hall, Plumas Crisis Intervention &
Resource Center, Food Bank (EPCAN)
Social media Y Facebook, LinkedIn

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-136
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Program/Organization
In Place
Y/N
How widespread are each of these in your
community?
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? The availability of local news outlets has decreased recently. To offset this, the City has taken a proactive approach with outward messaging on social media, the City’s website, and a quarterly newsletter. The City works closely with Firewise to ensure information is available to the public. We also have fostered relationships with organizations that interact with underserved and vulnerable communities in our City.

Capabilities could be expanded through additional potential public workshops/table tops between local stakeholders in order to continue to foster a collaborative approach for issues that affect the public and multiple parties. Groups could also perform more collaborative messaging that is shared among all parties.

Source: City of Portola
A.5.5. Other Mitigation Efforts
The City has many other completed or ongoing mitigation projects/efforts that include the following:
➢ Wildfire: General thinning of Portola owned properties. Management of ladder fuels on city owned properties. Code Enforcement activities around ladder fuel reductions. ➢ Flood: Council approved auxiliary diesel pump for emergency flooding ➢ Flood: Levee built with floodgates to reduce the impact to residents to the potential of the Feather River rising
➢ Engineering INI study underway to reduce impacts to sewer system ➢ All: General public outreach via various modes of communication to better inform public of hazards ➢ Wildfire/Air Quality: Green waste disposal programs for residents to utilize ➢ Wildfire/Air Quality: Wood stove changeout program to address air quality and potential fire hazards A.6 Mitigation Strategy
A.6.1. Mitigation Goals and Objectives
The City of Portola adopts the hazard mitigation goals and objectives developed by the HMPC and described in Chapter 5 Mitigation Strategy.

A.6.2. NFIP Mitigation Strategy
The City of Portola joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as an emergency entrant on April 14, 1975. The City followed up with a regular entry on July 18, 1985. As a participant of the NFIP, the City of Portola has administered floodplain management regulations that meet the minimum requirements of the NFIP. The management program objective is to protect people and property within the City. The City of Portola will continue to comply with the requirements of the NFIP in the future.

The City’s regulatory activities apply to existing and new development areas of the City; implementing flood protection measures for existing structures and new development and maintaining drainage systems.

The goal of the program is to enhance public safety and reduce impacts and losses while protecting the environment. The City’s Municipal Code has a Flood Damage Prevention Section under the Zoning Ordinance that regulates construction in the floodplain. The City intends to continue to implement the

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-137
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
ordinance and participate at the regional level with Plumas County implementing appropriate measures to mitigate exposure and damages within designated flood prone areas.

The NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS which are to reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance rating, and promote the awareness of flood insurance. The City of Portola is not a current participant in the CRS program.

More information about the floodplain administration in the City of Portola can be found in Table A-68.

Table A-68 City of Portola Compliance with NFIP
NFIP Topic Comments
Staff Resources
Who is responsible for floodplain management in your
community? Provide Department/Title. Do they serve any
roles other than Community Floodplain Administrator
(FPA)?
Ryan Bonk- City Manager; Todd Roberts- Director of
Public Works. Yes, they serve various roles outside of
this function.

Is the Community FPA or NFIP Coordinator a Certified
Floodplain Manager?
Todd Roberts serves in this capacity.

Is floodplain management an auxiliary function? Yes
Provide an explanation of NFIP administration services
(e.g., permit review, GIS, education or outreach, inspections, engineering capability)
Permit review, code compliance education and
outreach, inspections
What are the barriers to running an effective NFIP program in the community, if any?
Staffing and resource constraints
Insurance Summary
How many NFIP policies are in the community? What is the total premium and coverage?
2 policies in force
$514,000 of insurance in force
$1,021 in annual premiums
How many claims have been paid in the community? What
is the total amount of paid claims? How many of the claims were for substantial damage?
5 paid losses
$37,720 in paid losses
1 substantial damage claim
How many structures (residential and non-residential) are exposed to flood risk within the community?
50 in 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard
1 in 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard
Are there Repetitive Loss (RL) and Severe Repetitive Loss Properties (SRL) structures in the community?
0 RL
0 SRL
Describe any areas of flood risk with limited NFIP policy coverage
Potential areas of risk are identified in the City of
Portola flood insurance study map issued by FEMA.

Improved parcels located within the SFHA are most
vulnerable. Only 2 of the 36 improved parcels in the
SFHA maintain flood insurance.

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-138
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
NFIP Topic Comments
How does the community teach property owners or other
stakeholders about the importance of flood insurance?
Individuals are required to have flood insurance based
on purchasing requirements of lenders. City informs
individuals that may have questions on an as needed
basis.

What digital sources (like the FEMA Map Service Center, National Flood Hazard Layer) or non-regulatory tools does the community use?
FEMA Map Service center. Individuals discuss any
concerns with staff at City Hall and view maps.

Compliance History
Is the community in good standing with the NFIP? Yes
Are there any outstanding compliance issues (i.e., current violations)?
No
Who is responsible (Department, Title) for making
substantial damage/improvement determinations? How does the community identify substantially damaged/improved
structures? What is the process to make sure these
structures are brought into compliance?
Director of Public Works makes determinations. The
Director of Public Works, who is our Building Official
that has been trained by Cal OES in structural disaster assessment programs, is responsible for making
substantial damage/improvement determinations. The
Director, along with the Building Inspector, identify
and properly tag structures based on safety assessments, structural soundness, and safety protocols. In the event of a disaster (hazard) event, the trained personnel assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of
action. Once the emergency has stabilized, the
appropriate staff will contact affected properties to
work through established safety protocol and address
any non-compliances.

When was the most recent Community Assistance Visit
(CAV) or Community Assistance Contact (CAC)?
CAV 7/19/2011
Is a CAV or CAC scheduled or needed? No
Regulation
When did the community enter the NFIP? 7/18/1985
Are the FIRMs digital or paper? Digital
Has the community adopted the NFIP minimum floodplain
management criteria via local regulation? Date of current local regulation?
Yes- Maps adopted in 2005
Has the community adopted the latest effective FIRM? Date adopted?
No
How does the community enforce local floodplain
regulations and monitor compliance?
The City enforces local floodplain regulations and
monitors compliance via our Floodplain Management
Local Administrator, who is the Director of Public
Works. The City has enacted Code (Chapter 17.47)
along with Ordinance 317 addressing floodplains and
floodplain administration. Enforcement and
compliance is ensured via City permitting processes.

Do floodplain development regulations meet or exceed
FEMA or State minimum requirements? If so, in what ways? Yes. Base flood elevation study map.

How are Letters of Map Change (LOMCs) tracked and
compiled?
State updates

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-139
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
NFIP Topic Comments
Provide an explanation of the permitting process. Building permit triggers the process Community Rating System
Does the community participate in CRS? If so, what is the community's CRS Class Ranking?
No
What categories and activities provide CRS points and how can the class be improved?
N/A
Does the plan include CRS planning requirements? N/A
Source: City of Portola
A.6.3. Mitigation Actions
The Planning Team for the City of Portola identified and prioritized the following mitigation actions based on the risk assessment. Background information and information on how each action will be implemented and administered, such as ideas for implementation, responsible office, potential funding, estimated cost, and timeline are also included. The following hazards were considered a priority to the City for purposes of mitigation action planning:
➢ Climate Change
➢ Dam Failure
➢ Drought & Water Shortage (w/tree mortality)
➢ Earthquake
➢ Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/levee failure)
➢ Floods: Localized Stormwater
➢ Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow
➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Cold and Freeze
➢ Severe Weather: Heavy Rain and Storms (Wind, Hail, Lightning) ➢ Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornados
➢ Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality)
Low priority hazards to the City for mitigation planning include:
➢ Ag Hazards: Severe Weather/Invasive Species (Pests and Weeds) ➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Heat
It should be noted that many of the projects submitted by each jurisdiction in Table 5-4 in the Base Plan benefit all jurisdictions whether or not they are the lead agency. Further, many of these mitigation efforts are collaborative efforts among multiple local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, the countywide public outreach action, as well as many of the emergency services actions, apply to all hazards and jurisdictions regardless of hazard priority. Collectively, this LHMP’s multi-jurisdictional mitigation strategy includes only those actions and projects which reflect the actual priorities and capacity of each jurisdiction to implement over the next 5-years covered by this plan. It should further be noted, that each jurisdiction has focused on identifying those mitigation actions and projects to address their priority hazards, which are both realistic and reasonable for them to implement for this 5-year planning process,

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-140
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
and would like to preserve their right to modify hazard priorities should future projects be identified where the implementing jurisdiction has the future capacity to implement.

Mitigation Actions
Action 1. Public Education on Hazards in the City of Portola Hazards Addressed: Climate Change, Dam Failure, Drought & Water Shortage, Earthquake, Floods:
1%/0.2% annual chance, Floods: Localized Stormwater, Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow, Severe Weather: Extreme Cold and Freeze, Severe Weather: Heavy Rain and Storms (Wind, Hail, Lightning), Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornados, Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Educating the public on potential hazards that affect the City is paramount. Actions taken in this area to enhance public knowledge will lead to greater mitigation efforts within the community as a whole.

Project Description: Partnering with local resources (Cal OES, Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District, Plumas County Sheriff’s Office), the project will offer a variety of public education outreach efforts. Public education including but not limited to:
➢ Potential hazards and high hazard areas
➢ Property owners personal mitigation measures related to natural hazards specific to community and personal property
➢ Citywide (and County) emergency evacuation plan
➢ Living with fire, fire safe requirements, home hardening, etc. ➢ Forecasting information
➢ Hazard warning notification
➢ Emergency shelter locations
➢ General Plan Safety Element
Other Alternatives: Public obtains the knowledge through their own individual research and/or resources Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Existing public outreach mechanisms will be utilized and enhanced to conduct public outreach in the City.

Responsible Office/Partners: City of Portola City Manager & Local Resources Benefits (Losses Avoided): Increased mitigation of hazards and the effects of hazards on the community as an increased number of the public is educated on mitigation efforts. Effect of hazards on the public can be reduced with availability and knowledge of emergency evacuation planning.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): Local Budgets (City General Fund budget), FEMA HMA Grants; CAL FIRE Fire Prevention Grants,
Timeline: 2026 and ongoing- Through 2029

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-141
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 2. Essential Facilities Retrofit and Redundant Power Sources Hazards Addressed: Climate Change, Dam Failure, Drought & Water Shortage, Earthquake, Floods:
1%/0.2% annual chance, Floods: Localized Stormwater, Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow, Severe Weather: Extreme Cold and Freeze, Severe Weather: Heavy Rain and Storms (Wind, Hail, Lightning), Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornados, Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Essential facilities need to be surveyed for points of weakness, both structurally and from a redundancy perspective, so the facilities can be used during an emergency situation. This can be from dam failure, earthquake, flooding, landslide, extreme cold and freeze, heavy rains, high winds, or wildfires. All of these are expected to be exacerbated by climate change.

Project Description: Survey and prioritize all critical and/or emergency facilities. Perform necessary upgrades to facilities and/or systems to ensure the facilities can be utilized effectively in the event of an emergency.

Other Alternatives: Continue existing as-is with the risk that critical facilities may not be operational in the event of a catastrophic event.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: None identified Responsible Office/Partners: City of Portola City Manager Benefits (Losses Avoided): Inability to utilize a critical facility in the event of an emergency. Power redundancy for critical facilities and systems.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA HMA grant funds for secondary power sources, City General Fund, other grants to be identified Timeline: 2027
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 3. Wildfire Risk and Impact Reduction
Hazards Addressed: Wildfire (including landslide, extreme heat, extreme cold and snow, high winds, heavy rains and storms (lightning) and drought)
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): The likelihood of occurrence and intensity of wildfires within the region has increased exponentially recently. These wildfires threaten all aspects of the City. Areas around the City have seen wildfire risks increase due to tree mortality (from drought conditions). During

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-142
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
periods of high winds and extreme heat, wildfires can spread quickly. Some of these can be caused by lightning. Heavy snow loads can down trees as well, causing them to be fuel for future wildfires. Reducing wildfire risk also reduces risk to future landslides, which often occur in burn scar areas in and around the City.

Project Description: Perform hazardous fuel reduction, mastication, and other mitigation efforts throughout the City and the surrounding areas to reduce the risk of wildfire.

Other Alternatives: Work alongside county resources and organizations to ensure mitigation efforts are undertaken
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Plumas County CWPP and other local fire mitigation planning efforts
Responsible Office/Partners: City of Portola City Manager, Plumas FSC Benefits (Losses Avoided): Mitigation of catastrophic wildfire threatening life and property Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): City General Fund, FEMA HMA grants, CAL FIRE Grants
Timeline: 2027 - 2031
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 4. Gulling Street Bridge Structural Rehabilitation Hazards Addressed: Earthquake, Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance, Hazardous Materials Transportation, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): The Gulling Street Bridge’s compromised condition, as noted in the Caltrans BIRIS Report from 12/06/2023 (Substructure as “2 CRITICAL”), poses a risk to the City of Portola, emergency response capabilities and the safety of its residents. The bridge is on a route that would be used during evacuations from floods, fires, landslide, earthquakes, and other hazards.

Project Description: Engineering analysis of the current conditions of the bridge to ascertain appropriate mitigation strategies for potential required structural rehabilitation due to conditions noted in the Caltrans BIRIS reports. Construction of mitigation solutions as engineered.

Other Alternatives: Continuously reshore the affected pier with temporary solutions. Construct a new bridge
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Caltrans BIRIS Report and engineering analysis studies of preferred mitigation alternative

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-143
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Responsible Office/Partners: City of Portola City Manager Benefits (Losses Avoided): This bridge is a matter of urgent public safety, addressing an imminent threat to life and property for the City. The bridge is the sole viable access route connecting the northern and southern regions of the City, serving as a lifeline to essential emergency services, including Eastern Plumas Health Care Hospital, the Fire Station, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, Portola High School, City Hall, and the core business district. The Eastern Plumas Health Care Hospital services the City of Portola as well as all eastern Plumas County and parts of eastern Sierra County, including the city of Loyalton. Any closure or failure of the bridge would cut off access to these critical facilities, jeopardizing the health, safety, and well-being of the community.

Moreover, in the event of a wildfire—such as the one experienced last summer—residents on the southern side of the City would lose all viable evacuation routes if the bridge were to fail or be closed. The City had to evacuate roughly 931 residents utilizing the bridge as the only emergency egress during the most recent Gold Complex wildfire in 2024 due to County Road A-15 being closed.

In addition to the above, the area has experienced multiple seismic events over the past year, further increasing the risk of failure for this critical piece of infrastructure. Given the propensity for seismic activity in the area, the City is extremely concerned about the inevitability of future events and their impact on the bridge.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): Caltrans Highway Bridge Program, FEMA HMA grants
Timeline: 2029-2031
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 5. Fire Suppression Enhancements
Hazards Addressed: Wildfire (including extreme heat, high winds, and drought) Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Hydrant supply lines are aging infrastructure that can be subject to damage in the event of a catastrophe requiring high volume use of the lines.

Project Description: Replace all hydrant supply lines and upgrade aged hydrants Other Alternatives: Operate with current system limitations and risks Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Infrastructure improvement planning
Responsible Office/Partners: City of Portola City Manager Benefits (Losses Avoided): Catastrophic wildfire threating life and property

Plumas County City of Portola Annex A-144
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA HMA grants, CAL FIRE grants, City General Fund, other grants not yet identified
Timeline: 2027-2031
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High

Plumas County INSERT DISTRICT Annex B-1
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Annex B Chester Public Utility District
B.1 Introduction
This Annex details the hazard mitigation planning elements specific to the Chester Public Utility District (Chester PUD or District), a new participating jurisdiction to the 2026 Plumas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Update. This Annex is not intended to be a standalone document but appends to and supplements the information contained in the Base Plan document. As such, all sections of the Base Plan, including the planning process and other procedural requirements apply to and were met by the District. This Annex provides information specific to the Chester PUD, with a focus on providing additional details on the planning process, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy for this jurisdiction.

B.2 Planning Process
As described above, the Chester PUD followed the planning process detailed in Chapter 3 of the Base Plan.

In addition to providing representation on the Plumas County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC), the District formulated their own internal planning team to support the broader planning process requirements. Internal planning participants, their positions, and how they participated in the planning process are shown in Table B-1. Additional details on Plan participation and District representatives are included in Appendix A.

Table B-1 Chester PUD – Planning Team
Name Position/Title How Participated
Bonnie Mullaney General Manager Attended meetings, conducted research, provided District data and information for the Annex, developed mitigation actions. Reviewed, Edited, and provided input on Plan drafts
Chester PUD Board Board Members Historical input and opinions Source: Chester PUD
B.3 District Profile
The community profile for the Chester PUD is detailed in the following sections. Figure B-1 displays a District map and the location of Chester PUD within Plumas County.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-2 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure B-1 Chester PUD Location and Elevation Map
B.3.1. Overview and Background
Chester Public Utility District (Chester PUD) provides domestic water distribution as well as wastewater collection and treatment. In addition, Chester PUD is partially reimbursed from the County for providing street lighting services and also awards and administers a solid waste collection franchise for the area through Waste Management.

Chester PUD was formed in 1947 as an independent special district. It was organized to provide water and wastewater services to the residents of Chester. In 2009, Chester PUD consolidated with Chester Fire Protection District (FPD), and consequently, took on fire protection and ambulance services. The principal act that governs the District is the Public Utility District Act. The principal act empowers the District to acquire, construct, own, operate, control, or use works for supplying light, water, power, heat, transportation, telephone service, or other means of communication, or means for the disposal of garbage, sewage, or refuse matter. In addition, the District may acquire, construct, own, complete, use, and operate a fire department, street lighting system, public parks and other recreation facilities, and provide for the drainage of roads, streets, and public places.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-3 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Prior to 2024, the Chester Fire Department offered comprehensive fire services, including fire suppression, emergency medical care, and ambulance services to the Chester fire protection service Sphere of Influence (SOI). However, due to recurring budget deficits, Chester Fire Department was annexed into Peninsula Fire District, significantly reducing its services. Currently, Peninsula Fire is only budgeted to staff Chester about three days per week, providing limited emergency and medical response.

Chester PUD is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Almanor in Plumas County. Sitting at 4,534 ft in elevation, the climate is moderate with warm summers and cooler, snowy winters. Average summer temperatures range from highs in the upper 70s to mid-90s, while winter temperatures average from highs in the 50s to lows in the low 30s. While there can be occasional rain and heavy snow during the winter months. In addition to sunny skies and mild weather in summer months, Chester enjoys cool ocean breezes off of Lake Almanor during its warmest days and crisp mountain air during its cooler months.

The District does not border any other water, wastewater or fire providers . West Almanor CSD is located to the south of Chester PUD, and Walker Ranch is to the east. The Chester PUD boundary is entirely within Plumas County. The District’s boundaries encompass approximately 7.37 square miles.

B.4 Risk Assessment
As defined by FEMA, risk is a combination of hazard, vulnerability, and exposure. “It is the impact that a hazard would have on people, services, facilities, and structures in a community and refers to the likelihood of a hazard event resulting in an adverse condition that causes injury or damage.” The Chester PUD risk assessment identifies and profiles relevant hazards and assesses the exposure of lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment to these hazards. The process allows for a better understanding of the District’s potential risk and vulnerability to hazards and provides a framework for developing and prioritizing mitigation actions to reduce risk from future hazard events.

Building on the District Profile above, a risk assessment was performed for the District. This includes the following sections:
➢ B.4.1 Assets Inventory and Growth and Development Trends ➢ B.4.2 Hazard Identification
➢ B.4.3 Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability to Specific Hazards B.4.1. Assets Inventory and Growth and Development Trends This section provides an inventory of the Chester PUD’s total assets potentially at risk to hazards and an overview of growth and development trends. This section is broken into two parts:
➢ Asset Inventory – The assets inventory identifies the Chester PUD’s total assets, including the people and populations; structures; critical facilities and infrastructure; community lifelines; natural, historic, and cultural resources; and economic assets and community activities of value. This data is not hazard specific, but is representative of total assets within the District, potentially at risk to identified hazards as discussed in Section B.4.3 Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability to Specific Hazards.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-4 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Growth and Development Trends – A discussion of growth and development trends in the District, both current and future, is presented.

Assets Inventory
The District’s asset inventory is detailed in the following sections:
➢ People and Populations
➢ Structures
➢ Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
➢ Community Lifelines
➢ Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
➢ Economic Assets and Community Activities of Value
A discussion of each of these assets follows and serves as the template for the asset discussion for each hazard in Section B.4.3.

People and Populations
The most important asset within any community are the people and populations that reside in the community. People and populations in the District include both District staff and workers as well as those populations located within District boundaries and are served by the District. This section includes an inventory of past and current populations of the District and also discusses vulnerable populations and underserved communities as a subsection of people and populations located within the District and potentially at risk to hazards. Information from the District and other sources as detailed below form the basis of this discussion.

Historic Population Trends and Current Population
The most important asset within any community are the people and populations that reside in the District.

The District has 6 staff. In addition to District staff, the District provides services to about 2,000 residents within its service area.

The District provided information about priority populations that they serve. This is similar to the vulnerable and underserved populations discussed in the Base Plan. For Chester, this can be seen in Figure B-2. As shown in the areas in yellow, there are areas known as Disadvantaged Communities. This comes from the Cal EPA’s Enviroscreen Tool. These “Disadvantaged Community: CES areas include census tracts that met one of the criteria below:
➢ Received the highest 25% of overall scores in CES 4.0 ➢ Lacked overall scores in CES 4.0 due to data gaps, receive the highest 5% of CES 4.0 cumulative pollution burden scores.
➢ Identified in the 2017 DAC designations as disadvantaged, regardless of their score in CES 4.0.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-5 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure B-2 Chester PUD Priority Populations
Source: California Climate Investments Priority Populations Mapping Tool 4.0. Provided by Chester PUD on 7/13/2025.

The District noted other vulnerable populations in the District. There is an elderly care facility. The hospital has a long-term skilled nursing facility. There is also a portion of the population served by the District that is low income. Both of these vulnerable population groups would need assistance in the event of a significant hazard event or disaster.

Structures and Critical Facilities
This section considers Chester PUD’s assets at risk, with a focus on key District assets such as critical facilities and infrastructure, and other District assets and their values. With respect to District assets, the majority of these assets are considered critical facilities as defined for this Plan. Critical facilities are defined for this Plan as:

Any facility, including without limitation, a structure, infrastructure, property, equipment or service, that if adversely affected during a hazard event may result in severe consequences to public health and safety or interrupt essential services and operations for the community at any time before, during and after the hazard event.

A critical facility is classified by the following categories: (1) Essential Services Facilities: (2) At-Risk Populations Facilities, and (3) Hazardous Materials Facilities.

Table B-2 lists critical facilities and other District assets identified by the District Planning Team as important to protect in the event of a disaster. Chester PUD’s physical assets, valued at over $74.5 million, consist of structures and infrastructure to support the District’s operations.

Table B-2 Chester PUD Critical Facilities and Infrastructure, and Other District Assets Name of Asset Facility Type Replacement Value Hazard Info* Tanks x2 (500k and 640k) Water $6,000,000 Fire, Earthquake, Extreme Weather

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-6 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Name of Asset Facility Type Replacement Value Hazard Info* Well x4 +1 unused Water $5,000,000 Fire, Earthquake,
Extreme Weather,
Flood
Treatment Plant and CL Contact and
Ponds
Wastewater $20,000,000 Fire, Earthquake,
Extreme Weather,
Flood
Sewer Lines and Lift Stations Wastewater $20,000,000 Fire, Earthquake, Extreme Weather,
Flood
Hydrants x240 Water $1,000,000 Fire, Earthquake,
Flood
Office Supplies, Electronics, Furniture Water/Wastewater $500,000 Fire, Earthquake, Extreme Weather,
Flood
198 Main Building and Property Water/Wastewater $500,000 Fire, Earthquake, Extreme Weather,
Flood
251 Chester Airport Road Building Water/Wastewater $1,500,000 Fire, Earthquake, Extreme Weather,
Flood
Water Lines and Meters Water $20,000,000 Fire, Earthquake, Extreme Weather,
Flood
Total $74,500,000.00
Source: Chester PUD
* Earthquake is included in this table as a hazard that poses risk. After completion of the risk assessment below and after reviewing potential mitigation actions, it was determined that this would be a low significance hazard in the District. However, the earthquake hazard remains in the table to inform future hazard mitigation planning initiatives.

Community Lifelines
Assessing the vulnerability of the Chester PUD to natural hazards and disasters also involves reviewing and inventorying the community lifelines in place that could be affected. It is important to include these items in hazard discussions as the continuous operation of critical government and business functions is essential to human health and safety, property protection, and economic security. The importance of community lifelines is discussed below:
➢ Lifelines are the most fundamental services in the community that, when stabilized, enable all other aspects of society to function.
➢ FEMA has developed a method for objectives-based response that prioritizes the rapid stabilization of Community Lifelines after a disaster.
➢ The integrated network of assets, services, and capabilities that provide lifeline services are used dayto-day to support the recurring needs of the community and enable all other aspects of society to function.
➢ When disrupted, decisive intervention (e.g., rapid re-establishment or employment of contingency response solutions) is required to stabilize the incident.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-7 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Community lifelines, as defined by FEMA, include the following:
➢ Safety and Security – Law Enforcement/Security, Fire Service, Search and Rescue, Government Service, Community Safety
➢ Food, Hydration, Shelter – Food, Water, Shelter, Agriculture ➢ Health and Medical – Medical Care, Public Health, Patient Movement, Medical Supply Chain, Fatality Management
➢ Energy – Power Grid, Fuel
➢ Communications – Infrastructure, Responder Communications, Alerts Warnings and Messages, Finance, 911 and Dispatch
➢ Transportation – Highway/Roadway/Motor Vehicle, Mass Transit, Railway, Aviation, Maritime ➢ Hazardous Material – Facilities, HAZMAT, Pollutants, Contaminants ➢ Water Systems – Potable Water Infrastructure, Wastewater Management It should be noted that these community lifelines are all in place and functional as part of regular government operations in the Plumas County Planning Area serving as a partnership between the city, local special districts and agencies, and Plumas County. Due to its more rural nature, there is an interplay in community lifelines between all jurisdictions in the County. Most all of the District’s community lifelines overlap with the Planning Area’s. It should also be noted that these lifelines collectively include many of the critical facilities and infrastructure assets inventoried for this LHMP, including those assets owned by the District. As such, specific information on these community lifelines in the District and how they may be affected by a hazard event or disaster are discussed in the Base Plan.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Assessing the vulnerability of the Chester PUD to natural hazards and disasters also involves inventorying the natural, historic, and cultural assets of the area. This step is important for the following reasons:
➢ Environmental and natural resources add to a community’s identity and quality of life. They also help the local economy through agriculture, tourism, and recreation. They support ecosystem services, such as clean air and water.
➢ Conserving the environment may help people mitigate risk. It can also protect sensitive habitats, develop parks and trails, and build the economy.
➢ The community may decide that these types of resources warrant a greater degree of protection due to their unique and irreplaceable nature and contribution to the overall economy. ➢ If these resources are impacted by a disaster, knowing so ahead of time allows for more prudent care in the immediate aftermath, when the potential for additional impacts are higher. ➢ The rules for reconstruction, restoration, rehabilitation, and/or replacement are often different for these types of designated resources.
➢ Natural resources can have beneficial functions that reduce the impacts of natural hazards, such as wetlands and riparian habitat, which help absorb and attenuate floodwaters.

Natural Resources
Chester PUD has a variety of natural resources of value to the District. These natural resources parallel that of Plumas County as a whole. Information can be found in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-8 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Historic and Cultural Resources
Chester PUD has a variety of historic and cultural resources of value to the District. These historic and cultural resources parallel that of Plumas County as a whole. Information can be found in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan.

Economic Assets and Community Activities of Value
Assessing the vulnerability of the Chester PUD to natural hazards and disasters also involves inventorying the economic assets and community activities of value in the District.

Economic Assets
After a disaster, economic resiliency is one of the major drivers of a speedy recovery. Each community has specific economic drivers. Economic assets for the County were discussed in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan and are assumed to be the same or similar for the District.

The District noted that economic assets in the Districts include: Mill, Holiday Market, multiple restaurants, schools, churches, lake recreation and campgrounds, airport, hospital, Main St Bridge over Feather River, Causeway over Lake Almanor, bike trail, and Chester Park.

Community Activities of Value
Inventorying economic assets in the District and their vulnerability to natural hazards and disasters also involves inventorying activities that have value to the community. This includes activities that are important to a community, like long-standing traditions such as a festival or fair or other activities that bring money into the communities such as sports tournaments and other recreational activities. Community Activities of Value for the County were discussed in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan and are assumed to be the same or similar for the District.

Growth and Development Trends
As part of the planning process, the District looked at changes in growth and development, both current and future, and examined these changes in the context of hazard-prone areas, and how the changes in growth and development affect loss estimates and vulnerability over time. This inventory section details future development/redevelopment projects that are likely to occur over the next five years covered by this 2026 LHMP. For Districts, this generally includes the following:
➢ Construction/development projects related to adding new District facilities, infrastructure, land acquisition, etc.
➢ Plans for expansion or build out of the District’s service area, including new service hookups, and other District functions related to where the District will be expanding services.

Population Trends and Projections
The District noted that population is expected to stay flat or decrease over time.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-9 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Future Development Areas
It is important to review future development plans for the District. Future development should be sited in areas that are away from known hazard risks. If this is not possible, mitigation should be done to ensure that future development is protected against future hazards.

There are no current growth development plans the District is aware of, but there is potential for additional growth in the future. Within the District, there is significant land owned by private owners and the Maidu Tribe. Some community members are working on creating more opportunities for winter activities they may require some development of the area As a public utility district, the District noted that it does not have authority to regulate and permit land use and development within its service area. Authority for permitting new development in the District is the responsibility of the County where the District is located.

The District’s role is to perform necessary improvements and establish connections to new customers to provide water, wastewater, and other services required by the District. With respect to District facility and infrastructure improvements and new development, the District is subject to the development and permitting requirements of the County as the permitting authority.

B.4.2. Hazard Identification
The Chester PUD identified the hazards that affect the District and summarized their location, extent, likelihood of future occurrence, potential magnitude, and significance (or priority of a hazard) specific to the District.

Note: Those hazards identified as a high or medium significance in Table B-3 are considered priority hazards for mitigation planning. Those hazards that occur infrequently or have little or no impact in the District were determined to be of low significance and not considered a priority hazard to the District.

Significance was determined based on the hazard profile, focusing on key criteria such as frequency, extent, and resulting damage, including deaths/injuries and property, natural and cultural resources, and economic damage. The ability of a jurisdiction to reduce losses through implementation of existing and new mitigation measures was also considered as to the significance and priority of a hazard. This assessment was used to prioritize those hazards of greatest significance, enabling the District to focus resources where they are most needed.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-10 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table B-3 Chester PUD—Hazard Identification Assessment
Hazard Geographic
Extent
Likelihood of
Future Occurrences
Magnitude/
Severity
Significance Climate
Change
Influence
Ag Hazard: Severe Weather /
Insects/Pests
Extensive Highly Likely Limited Low Medium
Climate Change Extensive Likely Critical Low --
Dam Failure Extensive Unlikely Critical Low Medium
Drought & Water Shortage (w/tree
mortality)
Extensive Likely Limited Medium High
Earthquake Extensive Unlikely/Occasionally Catastrophic Low Low Flood: 1%/0.2% annual chance
(w/levee failure)
Significant Unlikely/Occasionally Catastrophic Medium Medium Flood: Localized Stormwater Significant Highly Likely Limited Medium Medium Haz Mat Transportation Significant Occasionally Critical Low Low Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris
Flow
Significant Likely Negligible Low Medium
Severe Weather: Extreme Cold,
Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche)
Extensive Highly Likely Critical Medium Medium
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat Extensive Highly Likely Negligent Low High Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and
Storms
Extensive Highly Likely Limited Medium Medium
Severe Weather: High Winds and
Tornadoes
Extensive Occasionally Limited Low Medium
Volcano Extensive Unlikely Critical Low
Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) Extensive Highly Likely Catastrophic High Medium Geographic Extent
Limited: Less than 10% of planning
area
Significant: 10-50% of planning area
Extensive: 50-100% of planning area
Likelihood of Future
Occurrences
Highly Likely: Near 100% chance of
occurrence in next year, or happens
every year.

Likely: Between 10 and 100%
chance of occurrence in next year,
or has a recurrence interval of 10
years or less.

Occasional: Between 1 and 10%
chance of occurrence in the next
year, or has a recurrence interval of
11 to 100 years.

Unlikely: Less than 1% chance of
occurrence in next 100 years, or has
a recurrence interval of greater than
every 100 years.

Magnitude/Severity
Catastrophic: More than 50 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for more than 30 days; and/or multiple deaths Critical: 25-50 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for at least two weeks; and/or injuries and/or illnesses result in permanent disability Limited: 10-25 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for more than a week; and/or injuries/illnesses treatable do not result in permanent disability
Negligible: Less than 10 percent of property severely damaged, shutdown of facilities and services for less than 24 hours; and/or injuries/illnesses treatable with first aid
Significance
Low: Minimal potential impact
Medium: Moderate potential impact
High: Widespread potential impact
Climate Change Influence
Low: Minimal potential impact
Medium: Moderate potential impact
High: Widespread potential impact

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-11 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
B.4.3. Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability to Specific Hazards This section includes the hazard profiles and vulnerability assessment for hazards ranked of medium or high significance specific to the Chester PUD (as identified in the Significance column of Table B-3). This section focuses on where and how the District is affected by their priority hazards. Chapter 4 of the Base Plan provides more detailed information about these hazards and their impacts on the Plumas County Planning Area. Methodologies for evaluating vulnerabilities and calculating loss estimates are the same as those described in Section 4.2 of the Base Plan.

Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability Assessment
Each hazard is profiled in the following format:
➢ Hazard Profile – A hazard profile is included for each hazard. This includes information on:
✓ Hazard Overview – A general discussion of the hazard and related issues is detailed here. ✓ Location and Extent – Location is the geographic area within the District that is affected by the hazard. Extent is the expected range of intensity for each hazard. These are discussed in specific detail for mapped hazards, and in more general detail for those hazards that do not have discrete mapped hazard areas.
✓ Past Occurrences – Past occurrences are discussed for each hazard. A discussion of disaster declarations is included in each hazard section. NCDC events are also discussed. Other past occurrences data specific to the District follow the disaster declarations and NCDC events for each hazard.
✓ Climate Change – This section contains the effects of climate change (as applicable). The possible influence of climate change on the hazard is discussed.

After the hazard profile, a vulnerability assessment is presented. As part of the vulnerability assessment, an estimate of the vulnerability of the District to each identified hazard, in addition to the estimate of risk of future occurrence, is provided in each of the hazard-specific sections. Vulnerability is measured in general, qualitative terms and is a summary of the potential impact based on past occurrences, spatial extent, and damage and casualty potential. It is categorized into the following classifications:
➢ Extremely Low—The occurrence and potential cost of damage to life and property is very minimal to nonexistent.
➢ Low—Minimal potential impact. The occurrence and potential cost of damage to life and property is minimal.
➢ Medium—Moderate potential impact. This ranking carries a moderate threat level to the general population and/or built environment. Here the potential damage is more isolated and less costly than a more widespread disaster.
➢ High—Widespread potential impact. This ranking carries a high threat to the general population and/or built environment. The potential for damage is widespread. Hazards in this category may have occurred in the past.
➢ Extremely High—Very widespread with catastrophic impact.

After this classification, a general discussion of hazard vulnerabilities occurs. This is done in the following format:

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-12 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Vulnerability Overview – A general discussion of the hazard vulnerability and related issues is detailed here.
➢ Local Concerns – This includes District provided information on how the District is uniquely affected by or vulnerable to each hazard.
➢ Assets at Risk – A discussion of the assets at risk follows, presented in the same order as in Section B.4.1 above, with a few exceptions. This includes sections on: People and Populations; Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure; and Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources. These are discussed in specific terms for mapped hazards, and in more general terms for those hazards that are unmapped. Sections on Community Lifelines and Economic Assets and Community Activities of Value are not included in the Sections below, as they are common to all jurisdictions and are fully covered in Section B.4.1 above and Chapter 4 of the Base Plan.
➢ Impacts – A discussion on hazard impacts follows. Impacts describe how each hazard can affect the District, its assets, and the ability to provide continued and reliable services. The type and severity of impacts reflect both the potential magnitude of the hazard and the vulnerability of the asset. ➢ Future Conditions/Future Development – A discussion of how future conditions and future development will affect or influence each hazard over time is also included. This considers both new District assets and improvements as well as any changes in service area.

Power Interruption/Power Failure: A Common Vulnerability of all Hazards An impact of almost all hazards evaluated as part of this LHMP Update relates to power shortage and/or power failures. The US power grid crisscrosses the country, bringing electricity to homes, offices, factories, warehouses, farms, traffic lights and even campgrounds. According to statistics gathered by the U.S.

Department of Energy, major blackouts are on the upswing. Incredibly, over the past two decades, blackouts impacting at least 50,000 customers have increased 124 percent. The electric power industry does not have a universal agreement for classifying disruptions. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that different types of outages are possible so that plans may be made to handle them effectively. In addition to blackouts, brownouts can occur. A brownout is an intentional or unintentional drop in voltage in an electrical power supply system. Intentional brownouts are used for load reduction in an emergency.

Electric power disruptions can be generally grouped into two categories: intentional and unintentional.

More information on types of power disruptions can be found in Section 4.3 of the Base Plan.

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
An intentional disruption type of power shortage/failure event has been recently implemented in California as a result of wildfires starting as a result of downed power lines or electrical equipment. This was the case for the Camp Fire in 2018. As a result, California’s three largest energy companies (including PG&E), at the direction of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), are preparing all Californians for the threat of wildfires and power outages during times of extreme (fire) weather. To help protect customers and communities during extreme fire weather events, electric power may be shut off for public safety in an effort to proactively prevent wildfire. This is called a PSPS. More information on PSPS criteria can be found in Section 4.3 of the Base Plan.

In addition to PSPSs, to help prevent wildfires, electric utilities have begun to evolve safety efforts. This includes installing safety settings on powerlines in and around high fire-risk areas. These are known as Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), and they help prevent falling tree branches, animals and other

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-13 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
hazards from causing a wildfire. By stopping ignitions, it helps prevent wildfires from starting and spreading. According to PG&E, if ignitions occur, the size of fires can be much smaller due to EPSS. In 2022, there was a 99% decrease in acres impacted by ignitions (as measured by fire size from electric distribution equipment (compared to the 2018-2020 average). This decrease occurred despite dry conditions.

Local Concerns
Chester PUD noted that there have been occasional Power Outages during heavy snow events, and those associated with PSPS events, which have affected the District. Specific events could not be recalled. Power outages is common in the District with heavy snow and during red flag or severe fire weather days.

Drought & Water Shortage (w/tree mortality)
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Drought and water shortage are complex issues involving many factors—it occurs when a normal amount of precipitation and snow is not available to satisfy an area’s usual water-consuming activities. Drought can often be defined regionally based on its effects. Drought is different than many of the other natural hazards in that it is not a distinct event and usually has a slow onset. Drought can severely impact a region both physically and economically. Drought affects different sectors in different ways and with varying intensities. Adequate water supply is the most significant issue and is critical for agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, recreation, and commercial and domestic use. Drought has also affected tree mortality in the area in the past. As the population in the area continues to grow, so will the demand for water.

Tree Mortality and Drought
One of the secondary hazards of drought in the Plumas County Planning Area, which can also affect Chester PUD, is the increased risk to trees from beetle kill and other insects, pathogens and parasites, and other tree mortality and die back issues. Drought weakens trees and makes them more susceptible to insect infestation and other pathogens. Insects, such as bark beetles and others, frequently attack trees weakened by drought, disease, injuries, or other factors that may stress the tree. These insects and other pathogens can contribute to the decline and eventual death of trees throughout the District. The tree mortality and dieback problems are a high priority because of the issue of hazardous trees and an increased wildfire hazard. In addition to an increase in wildfire fuels, hazardous trees can fall onto structures causing damage and a result in a reduction on the tree canopy within the District that provides relief during extreme heat days.

Location and Extent
Drought and water shortage are regional phenomenon. The whole of the District and County is at risk. The US Drought Monitor categorizes drought conditions with the following scale:

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-14 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ None
➢ D0 – Abnormally dry
➢ D1 – Moderate Drought
➢ D2 – Severe Drought
➢ D3 – Extreme Drought
➢ D4 – Exceptional Drought
Drought has a slow speed of onset and a variable duration. Drought can last for a short period of time (which does not usually affect water shortages) or for longer periods (which may challenge water supplies).

Should a drought last for a long period of time, water shortage becomes a larger issue.

The Plumas County Planning Area, including the District, has been in and out of drought since 2014. Over the last six years since the 2019/2020 LHMP,s drought conditions have ranged from none to exceptional.

Drought conditions are expected to continue to be cyclical in nature depending on the year. Current drought conditions in the District are shown in Section 4.3.9 of the Base Plan.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There have been 2 state and 1 federal disaster declarations for Plumas County. This can be seen in Table B-4. Additionally, there have been 16 USDA Secretarial Disaster Declarations from drought in the County since 2012.

Table B-4 Plumas County –State and Federal Drought Disaster Declarations 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Drought 2 1976, 2015 1 1977
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
There have been 2 NCDC drought events in Plumas County since 1993. These most likely had some impact on the District.

Chester PUD Events
Based on historical information, the occurrence of drought in California, including the Chester PUD, is cyclical, driven by weather patterns. Section 4.3.9 of the Base Plan notes that five droughts have occurred in the past 86 years that likely affected the District.

Specifically, The District experienced drought conditions during 2020-2023. . The District noted that moderate drought conditions caused impacts including wildfire-related injuries, mental health effects, water-related illnesses and injuries, Valley fever, and respiratory illnesses. During this time, the Dixie Fire occurred causing one firefighter’s death, infrastructure damage, and property damage. This drought along with the wildfire, caused reduced tourism and recreation use, economically affecting the District. While

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-15 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
there is not much cropland in Chester, this was also an area of cropland that was adversely affected during these years.

Climate Change and Drought and Water Shortage
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts associated with drought and water shortage. More information on future impacts to the District can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Climate scientists studying California find that drought conditions are likely to become more frequent and persistent over the 21st century due to climate change. The experiences of California during recent years underscore the need to examine more closely the state’s water storage, distribution, management, conservation, and use policies. The 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS) stresses the need for public policy development addressing long term climate change impacts on water supplies. The CAS notes that climate change is likely to significantly diminish California’s future water supply, stating that: California must change its water management and uses because climate change will likely create greater competition for limited water supplies needed by the environment, agriculture, and cities.

A 2018 report from the Public Policy Institute of California noted that thousands of Californians – mostly in rural, small, disadvantaged communities – already face acute water scarcity, contaminated groundwater, or complete water loss. Climate change would make these effects worse.

Cal Adapt scenarios for modeled future drought scenarios were shown in Section 4.3.9 of the Base Plan.

Vulnerability to Drought and Water Shortage
Based on historical information, the occurrence of drought and water shortage in California, including the District, is cyclical, driven by weather patterns. Drought has occurred in the past and will occur in the future. Periods of actual drought with adverse impacts can vary in duration, and the period between droughts can be extended. Although an area may be under an extended dry period, determining when it becomes a drought is based on impacts to individual water users. The vulnerability of the Chester PUD to drought may vary and include reduction in water supply, water quality issues, turf losses, impacts to natural resources, and an increase in dry fuels and tree dieback.

The whole of the District is at some measure of vulnerability to drought and water shortage. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to drought and water shortage begins with an understanding of local exposure to drought. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-16 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
As a water provider, the District is always concerned with providing reliable potable water to its customers.

The District’s water sources are comprised of 5 wells that are primarily supplied by aquifers from the Cascade Mountains. Drought can lower the snowpack and reduce the volume in the aquifers.

The District’s greatest concern from drought is from increased wildfire risk. Wildfire risk is discussed in greater detail in the Wildfire profile below. Also of concern to the District from drought is potential impacts to water supply and quality that could compromise their ability to provide potable water to their service area.

In addition, within the District, there are two health care facilities, an elder care facility and long-term skilled nursing facility. Along with these, there are populations of Chester PUD that are low-income. All of these vulnerable populations could be affected by drought and water shortage issues.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities and infrastructure; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
The people and populations (both staff and those served by the District) of the District are not directly affected by general drought conditions; although, their turfed areas, trees, and other water dependent resources can all be affected. In extreme drought conditions, however, residents and other populations within the District may be vulnerable to drought and water shortage issues. Water quality can be impacted causing health problems, especially to vulnerable populations where access to clean water supplies can be more challenging. Water shortages can have an effect on all of the populations in the District, but often have a greater effect on the unhoused and other vulnerable populations that may be unable to access and afford clean drinking water during shortages. During periods of drought as the costs of water usage may increase, those who are economically disadvantaged, such as the low income residents within the District, may be unable to afford the increased costs of potable water.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Most District structures, critical facilities, and infrastructure have a limited vulnerability to drought and water shortage. Should drought conditions be severe enough to cause water shortage reliability issues, some facilities and infrastructure may be affected. Water and wastewater systems (like those of the District) may be impacted during times of reduced water supply and need to employ contingencies to remain functional and fully operational. Other water dependent systems may also be adversely affected. Further, the secondary hazard of drought (increased potential for spread of urban fires and wildfire) can pose a significant risk to District facilities. Drought can also stress trees, causing die off. These trees may fall on critical infrastructure adjacent to them and impact power lines and other utilities.

The District noted that their facilities listed in Table B-2 are all at some risk of drought, but the greater risk is the wildfires that occur during periods of drought.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-17 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Drought and water shortage can have a significant impact on natural resources. Water levels in reservoirs and lakes may be reduced and a loss of wetlands and marsh areas may occur. Severe drought conditions can contribute to an increase in erosion of soils and lead to poor soil quality. Further, all of the trees in the District are at risk to drought impacts and a reduction in water supply. These trees provide a wealth of social and environmental benefits to District residents and visitors, from shade and beauty to air quality, carbon reduction and stormwater management. Drought can devastate crops and dry out pastures, dry out forests and critical habitat areas, and reduce food and water available for wildlife and livestock.

Additionally, drought conditions can also cause soil to compact and not absorb water well, potentially making an area more susceptible to flooding. It is unlikely that drought and water shortage would have a significant impact on historic and cultural resources in the District.

Impacts from Drought and Water Shortage
The vulnerability of the District to drought is District-wide, but impacts may vary and include reduction in water supply and an increase in dry fuels. The potential for a reduction in water supply during drought conditions generally leads to both mandated and voluntary conservations measures during extended droughts. During these times, the costs of water can also increase. Also of concern, the increased dry fuels, fuel loads, and tree mortality events associated with drought conditions can result in an increased fire danger. In areas of extremely dry fuels, the intensity and speed of fires can be significant. Water supply and flows for fire suppression can also be an issue during extended droughts. Drought can also lead to and cause tree die off within the District.

Other qualitative impacts associated with drought in the District are those related to water intensive activities such as municipal usage, commerce, tourism, and recreation use. With more precipitation likely falling as rain instead of snow in the Sierra’s, and warmer temperatures causing decreased snowfall to melt faster and earlier, water supply is likely to become more unreliable. In addition, drought and water shortage is predicted to become more common. This means less water available for use over the long run, and additional challenges for water supply reliability, especially during periods of extended drought.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile discussion above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the Chester PUD include the following:

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-18 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future drought conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the District to drought and water shortage. ➢ Population projections for the area served by the District show the population to be slightly declining.

The District confirmed that future population growth is likely to remain flat or slightly decrease within its service boundaries. Population patterns and demographics are also not likely to change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be small. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to drought and water shortage is unlikely to change as a result.
➢ The District is unaware of any changes in land use or future development within its service area over the next five years covered by this Plan. With no identified future growth or development plans, the vulnerability of the District to drought and water shortage is unlikely to change as a result. The District conducts water supply planning to ensure a continued water supply to address future drought conditions.

Future Development
Increased water demand, reduced natural water retention, and increased infrastructure stress are all concern related to future development in the District. However, the District conducts water supply planning to ensure a continued water supply to address future drought and water shortage conditions. As previously noted, the District’s water sources are 5 wells that are primarily supplied by aquafers from the Cascade Mountains. Drought can lower the snowpack and reduce the volume in the aquafers.

Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance (w/Levee Failure)
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Occasional (1%)/Unlikely (0.2%) Vulnerability–Moderate
Hazard Profile
This hazard analyzes the FEMA DFIRM 1% and 0.2% annual chance floods. These tend to be the larger floods that can occur in the District and have caused damage in the past. Flooding can be a problem in the District. Historically, the District has been at risk to flooding primarily during the winter and spring months when river systems in the District swell with heavy rainfall and snowmelt runoff. The District has also been at risk during atmospheric river flood events. Normally, storm floodwaters are kept within defined limits by a variety of storm drainage and flood control measures (like levees) located throughout the Plumas County Planning Area and the Chester PUD. Occasionally, extended heavy rains result in floodwaters that exceed normal high-water boundaries and cause damage. Flooding has occurred within the 1% annual chance floodplains and in other localized areas in the District.

Location and Extent
The Chester PUD has areas located in the 1% annual chance flood zones. This is seen in Figure B-3.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-19 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure B-3 Chester PUD – FEMA DFIRM Flood Zones
Table B-5 details the DFIRM mapped flood zones located within the District.

Table B-5 Chester PUD– DFIRM Flood Hazard Zones
Flood Zone Description Present in District
A 1% annual chance flooding: No base flood elevations provided X AE 1% annual chance flooding: Base flood elevations provided AE Regulatory Floodway 1% annual chance flood: Regulatory floodway; Base flood elevations provided
AH 1% annual chance flood areas of shallow flooding between one to three feet deep. Regulatory floodway; Base flood elevations provided
Shaded X 0.2% annual chance flooding: The areas between the limits of the 1% annual chance flood and the 0.2-percent-annual-chance (or 500-year) flood
X (unshaded) Area of minimal flood hazard X
Source: FEMA DFIRM 03/02/2005

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-20 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Additionally, flood extents can generally be measured in volume, velocity, and depths of flooding.

Expected flood depths in the District vary, depending on the nature and extent of a flood event; specific depths are unknown. Flood durations in the District tend to be short to medium term, until either the storm drainage system can catch up or flood waters move downstream. Flooding in the District tends to have a shorter speed of onset, due to the amount of water that flows through the District.

Geographical flood extents for the District from the FEMA DFIRMs are shown in Table B-6.

Table B-6 Chester PUD – Geographical DFIRM Flood Zone Extents Jurisdiction/
Flood Zone/
Property Use
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard
Zone A
Agricultural 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Commercial 2 0.2% 1 0.2% 1 0.1%
Federal Lands 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Government 4 0.4% 0 0.0% 4 1%
Industrial 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Institutional 1 0.1% 0 0.0% 1 0.2%
Miscellaneous 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Recreational 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Residential 37 3% 33 5% 4 1%
ROW/Utilities 5 0.4% 0 0.0% 5 1%
Zone A Total 49 4% 35 5% 14 3%
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard Total
49 4% 35 5% 14 3%
Other Areas
Zone X (unshaded)
Agricultural 3 0.2% 0 0.0% 3 1%
Commercial 164 14% 121 17% 42 9%
Federal Lands 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Government 109 9% 0 0.0% 109 23%
Industrial 17 1% 13 2% 4 1%
Institutional 26 2% 4 1% 22 5%
Miscellaneous 15 1% 0 0.0% 15 3%
Recreational 1 0.05% 1 0.1% 0 0.0%
Residential 634 54% 541 76% 94 20%
ROW/Utilities 163 14% - 163 35%

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-21 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Jurisdiction/
Flood Zone/
Property Use
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Zone X
(unshaded)
Total
1,130 96% 680 95% 451 97%
Other Areas
Total
1,130 96% 680 95% 451 97%
Grand Total 1,179 100% 714 100% 465 100%
Source: FEMA DFIRM 03/02/2005
Chester Area Levees and Flood Control Structures
A search of the National Levee Database identified the North Fork Feather River at Chester (near Chester) – East and West levees as shown on Figure B-4 and Figure B-5. These levees are not certified as providing protection from the 1% annual chance or other flood. As such, no mapping of these areas is included in the Vulnerability Assessment below as part of the DFIRM analysis as no X-protected by levee flood zones are included in that dataset.

Figure B-4 Plumas County – North Fork Feather River at Chester East Levee Source: National Levee Database

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-22 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure B-5 Plumas County – North Fork Feather River at Chester West Levee Source: National Levee Database
In addition to the Chester area levees, the “super ditch” protects all of the District’s facilities, infrastructure, and the community served. The District noted that before this ditch was built, all of the water diverted by the ditch would have previously run right through downtown Chester. Many floods in Chester occurred prior to this ditch being built.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
A list of state and federal disaster declarations for Plumas County from flooding is shown on Table B-7.

These events also likely affected the District to some degree.

Table B-7 Plumas County – State and Federal Disaster Declarations from Flood 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Flood (including heavy
rain and storm)
22 1950, 1955, 1958 (twice), 1964,
1963, 1964, 1969, 1970 1980,
1986, 1993, 1992*, 1995
(twice*), 1996, 1997, 2006, 2017
(twice*), 2023 (twice*)
19 1950, 1955, 1958 (twice), 1963,
1964, 1969, 1970, 1986, 1992
(twice), 1995 (twice), 1997,
2006*, 2017 (twice*), 2023
(twice*)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
*included a landslide component

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-23 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
NCDC Events
The NCDC tracks flooding events for the County. Events have been tracked for flooding since 1993.

Plumas County has seen 15 events. Depending on the location, these events most likely had some impact on the District.

Chester PUD Events
The District noted that the following events had affects or damages to the District:

Chester had a history of annual flooding (especially in 1937) until the super ditch was built in 1938 to allow water to bypass during high flows. This reduced flooding; however, the District noted two events after the construction of the super ditch.
➢ 1956 flooding
➢ 1964 flooding
All of the events above caused significant property damage, structural damage to homes and businesses and caused school and road closures throughout the District. To aid the super ditch, the Chester diversion dam was installed in 1976. This significantly reduced flooding. Once a decade the District noted that typically a more critical flood occurs, generally caused by snowpack melting from warmer temps. Water meters can get buried with debris, the populations can decline temporarily, schools close, and businesses closed as Chester may see flood depths in areas of a couple feet of water.

Climate Change and Flood
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts associated with flood. More information on future impacts to the District can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), climate change may affect flooding in California, the Plumas County Planning Area, and the Chester PUD. While average annual rainfall may increase or decrease slightly, the intensity of individual rainfall events is likely to increase during the 21st century. It is possible that average soil moisture and runoff could decline, however, due to increasing temperature, evapotranspiration rates, and spacing between rainfall events. Reduced snowpack and increased number of intense rainfall events are likely to put additional pressure on water infrastructure which could increase the chance of flooding associated with breaches or failures of flood control structures such as levees and dams. Cal Adapt future precipitation projections were shown in Section 4.3.4.

Vulnerability to Flood: 1% and 0.2% Annual Chance
Floods have been a part of the District’s historical past and will continue to be so in the future. During winter months, long periods of precipitation and the timing of that precipitation are critical in determining the threat of flood, and these characteristics further dictate the potential for widespread structural and property damage. Predominantly, the effects of 1% and 0.2% annual chance flooding are generally

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-24 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
confined to areas near the waterways of the District. As waterways grow in size from local drainages, so grows the threat of flood and dimensions of the threat.

The whole of the District is at some measure of vulnerability to floods. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to flood begins with an understanding of local exposure to flood. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

The Chester Diversion dam significantly reduced the risk to the District from flooding, but if the diversion dam fails or the lake drainage system fails, Chester could see significant devastation. All of Chester PUD’s assets could be impacted during a large flood event.

If the super ditch fails, the snowpack melts in a rainstorm, or if the lake gets too full and cannot drain fast enough, Chester, including areas within the District could see significant flooding. Chester is flat and low in comparison to the surrounding mountains. Flooding could damage all electronic devices and destroy infrastructure along with the potential to break the wastewater pond levees. It could be as catastrophic as fire and create full destruction of the community.

The District is also concerned with atmospheric river and rain on snow events, both which can cause greater flooding in the District.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All people and populations (both District staff and those in the Service Area) located in the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains are at some risk to flooding. Certain vulnerable populations located within areas prone to flooding may be at increased risk to this hazard, especially during a large event with minimal advance notice. These vulnerable populations include: the unhoused, those with limited mobility, and those that lack the resources to leave the area.

Populations served by the District can be the most vulnerable. Not only are the residents at risk, but their homes and contents are all at risk, compounding the impacts associated with significant hazard events. The District’s ability to provide services to its populations during flood events is paramount.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-25 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Structures and Critical Facilities
Certain District structures are at risk of DFIRM flooding and primarily include those structures located within the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains. All District assets listed in Table B-2 would be at risk to flooding.

Flooding presents a threat to both critical facilities and infrastructure, as well as community lifelines.

Critical infrastructure plays an immensely important role in our communities. As previously noted, communities rely on roads, rail corridors, and related biking and pedestrian routes for transportation, and on water infrastructure for drinking water, wastewater service, and draining streets of rainwater. Damage to any one of these systems can threaten public safety, wreak havoc on daily life, impact properties far from flood zones, and result in economic impacts that cascade throughout the County.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Large flood events can affect natural, historic, and cultural resources. There are a number of ways floodwaters can impact natural resources and the environment. Wildlife habitats can be destroyed by floodwaters. Contaminated floodwater can pollute rivers and habitats. Silt and sediment can destroy natural areas. Riverbanks and natural levees can be eliminated as rivers reach bankfull capacity. Rivers can be widened, and deposition can increase downstream. Trees can be uprooted by high-velocity water flow.

Plants that survive the initial flood may die due to being inundated with water. Historic and cultural resources may also be affected. Generally, the impacts are associated with damage to structures within the flooded areas, but other cultural resources such as those associated with Native Americans and old tribal areas can also be disturbed, damaged and lost during extreme flood events. Any of these that fall in the flood zones shown on Figure B-3 would be vulnerable.

Impacts from Flood: 1% and 0.2% Annual Chance
Floods are among the costliest natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss nationwide.

Large flood events, including those associated with 1% and 0.2% annual chance floods, can cause substantial damage to structures, landscapes, and utilities as well as life safety issues. People may be swept away in floodwaters, causing injuries or deaths. Floods can be extremely dangerous, and even six inches of moving water can knock over a person given a strong current. During a flood, people can also suffer heart attacks or electrocution due to electrical equipment short outs. Direct impacts, such as drowning, can be limited with adequate warning and public education about what to do during floods. Floodwaters can transport large objects downstream which can damage or remove stationary structures. Structures can be damaged directly from floodwaters and can also be damaged from trees falling as a result of water-saturated soils. Ground saturation can result in instability, collapse, or other damage. Objects can also be buried or destroyed through sediment deposition. Floodwaters can also break utility lines and interrupt services causing power outages. The interruption of power causes major problems and can result in the closure of governmental offices and community businesses. Roads can be damaged and closed, causing safety and evacuation issues.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-26 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Standing water can cause damage to crops, roads, foundations, and electrical circuits. Other problems connected with flooding and stormwater runoff include erosion, sedimentation, degradation of water quality, loss of environmental resources, and economic impacts.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile discussion above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the Chester PUD include the following:
➢ As discussed in the hazard profile section, climate change is anticipated to exacerbate this hazard over time.
➢ Population projections for the area served by the District show the population to be slightly declining.

The District confirmed that future population growth is likely to remain flat or slightly decrease within its service boundaries. Population patterns and demographics are also not likely to change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be small. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to the 1%/0.2% annual chance flood hazard is unlikely to change as a result.
➢ Additional development traditionally leads to additional flooding. The District is unaware of any changes in land use or future development within its service area over the next five years covered by this Plan. With no identified future growth or development plans, the vulnerability of the District to the 1%/0.2% annual chance flood hazard due to new growth and development is unlikely to change.

In addition, Future Development
Future development is expected to be minimal in the District. Future development in the District may be built in the floodplain, as long as it conforms to the standards of the floodplain ordinance to minimize the risk to future flood events. The County enforces their floodplain management ordinance on areas inside the District. Adherence to protective building codes for any new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the District to this hazard. More detail on the specifics of the floodplain ordinance can be found in Section 4.4.1 of the Base Plan.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-27 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Flood: Localized Stormwater Flooding
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Flooding occurs in areas other than the FEMA mapped 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains. Flooding may be from drainages not studied by FEMA, lack of or inadequate drainage infrastructure, or inadequate maintenance. Localized, stormwater flooding occurs throughout the District and the Plumas County Planning Area, especially during the rainy season from November through April. Prolonged heavy rainfall (including that from atmospheric river events) contributes to a large volume of runoff resulting in high peak flows of moderate duration.

Location and Extent
The Chester PUD is subject to localized flooding throughout the District. This is discussed in Table B-8 below. Flood extents are usually measured in areas affected, velocity of flooding, and depths of flooding.

Expected flood depths in the District vary by location. Flood durations in the District tend to be short to medium term, or until either the storm drainage system can catch up or flood waters move downstream.

Localized flooding in the District tends to have a shorter speed of onset, especially when antecedent rainfall has soaked the ground and reduced its capacity to absorb additional moisture.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There have been no state or federal disaster declarations specific to localized floods. There would most likely have been localized flood events during the 22 state and 19 federal disaster declarations for flood events, including heavy rains and storms, as shown in the previous 1%/0.2% annual chance flood section.

NCDC Events
The NCDC occurrences of localized flooding are included in the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood hazard profile above where past flood events were noted. These include 15 flood related events for the entire County Planning Area reported since 1993.

Chester PUD Events
2023 Storms. While a large storm event caused flooding in other areas of Plumas County, Chester did not flood in 2023. Instead, it was severely impacted with snow. There were road closures and property damage. 1971 Flood. There was a significant flood in 1971 that caused damage and population relocation. Chester had a history of annual flooding until the super ditch was built in 1938 to allow water to bypass during high flows. This significantly reduced flooding.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-28 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Once a decade there’s typically a more critical flood, generally caused by Snowpack melting from warmer temperatures. Water meters were buried with debris, the population declined temporarily, schools closed and some businesses closed. These larger flood events can be seen in the Flood section above.

Climate Change and Localized Flood
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts from localized floods. Atmospheric river events, occurring in recent years, is thought to be attributed to climate change and reflect storms of greater volume and intensity. More information on future impacts to the District can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Even if average annual rainfall may decrease slightly, the intensity of individual rainfall events is likely to increase during the 21st century, increasing the likelihood of overwhelming stormwater systems built to historical rainfall and storm averages. This makes localized flooding more likely.

Vulnerability to Localized Flood
Flood vulnerability and their impacts vary by location and severity of any given flood event and will likely only affect certain areas of the District during specific times. Based on the risk assessment, it is evident that floods will continue to have potentially significant impacts to certain areas of the District. However, while flooding can cause significant impacts, depending on the duration and volume of precipitation and the drainage in any given area, many of the floods in the District are minor, localized flood events that are more of a nuisance than a disaster.

Many areas of the District are at some measure of vulnerability to localized flooding. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to localized flooding begins with an understanding of local exposure to localized flooding. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

Historically, the District has been affected by flooding of streams and creeks occurring during large snow melt events. Additional development in the District and in the watersheds of these streams affects both the frequency and duration of damaging floods through an increase in stormwater runoff and contributes to localized flooding occurring in areas throughout the District. The lack of or inadequate drainage infrastructure in the District contributes to localized flooding issues. This includes those locations on Table B-8.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-29 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table B-8 Chester PUD - List of Localized Flooding Areas Road/Location Name Flooding Pavement
Deterioration
Washout High
Water
Landslide/
Mudslide
Debris Downed
Trees
All of Chester if the lake
drainage system or super
ditch bypass fails

X X X X X
Where the bypass ditch and
Feather River go through
town

X X X X X
Source: Chester PUD
The District is also concerned with rain on snow events, which can cause greater flooding in the District.

While this is an issue for the District, specific flooding problem areas couldn’t be identified, but would likely be significant.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All District staff and populations served (including vulnerable populations) are traditionally not highly vulnerable to localized flooding, but their structures and contents can be at risk. Localized flooding may also cause transportation issues as roads and lanes are impacted or closed and affect the ability for District staff and District residents to travel throughout the District.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Structures and critical facilities and infrastructure in areas with localized flooding can be affected if floodwaters intrude into the structure. Structures in low lying areas, can be at greater risk. Buildings with older foundations that are prone to water intrusion are also at greater risk. Once water finds its way into a structure, it tends to continue to do so until the path that brings water into a structure is mitigated. Structures can also be damaged by trees that have become uprooted and fall during rain and storm events. Large trees falling onto structures can cause significant damage.

All District assets from Table B-2 were identified as being at risk to flood. Impacts to District assets will depend on the nature and extent of any given flood event. It can be assumed that these assets would be far less vulnerable to localized flood events, while larger more extreme flooding would likely cause greater impacts to District facilities and infrastructure.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural resource assets may have some vulnerabilities to localized flood during major storm events, but can benefit from floodwaters, often by design. Many open spaces take overflow water and release it into the underlying soils and natural areas. Wetlands areas in the District actually help reduce the risk of flooding, as they can absorb excess rainfall that would have to be drained away from impervious surfaces. Flooding

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-30 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
can provide many benefits to the natural environment, including recharging wetlands and groundwater, increasing fish production, creating wildlife habitat, and rejuvenating soil fertility. These smaller localized flooding events often provide more benefits to the environment in comparison to negative impacts associated with large flood events. Historic and cultural resources may be at some measure of vulnerability if they are located in areas subject to repeated localized flooding.

Impacts from Localized Flood
Primary concerns associated with stormwater flooding include impacts to infrastructure that provide a means of ingress and egress throughout the community. Ground saturation can result in instability, collapse, or other damage to trees, structures, roadways and other critical District infrastructure. Objects can also be buried or destroyed through sediment deposition. Floodwaters can break utility lines and interrupt services to District facilities. Standing water can cause damage to crops, roads, and foundations of District facilities. Other problems connected with flooding and stormwater runoff include erosion, sedimentation, degradation of water quality, losses of environmental resources, and certain health hazards.

Life safety issues from localized flooding would be more limited. The amount and type of damage or flooding that occurs varies from year to year and from storm to storm, depending on the quantity of precipitation and runoff.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the Likelihood of Future Occurrence discussion above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the Chester PUD include the following:
➢ As discussed in the hazard profile section, climate change is anticipated to exacerbate this hazard over time.
➢ Population projections for the area served by the District show the population to be slowly declining, which limits additional impacts to the District. The District confirmed that future population growth is likely to remain flat or slightly decrease within its service boundaries. The District may add staff, but this number would be small. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to this hazard is unlikely to change as a result. ➢ Changes in land use and development in the District are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect flooding and associated impacts to the District. Additional development traditionally leads to additional flooding. In addition, adherence to protective building codes for new

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-31 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the District to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal.

Future Development
Future development is expected to be minimal in the District. However, the risk of stormwater/localized flooding to future development can be minimized by accurate recordkeeping of repetitive localized storm activity. Mitigating the root causes of the localized stormwater or choosing not to develop in areas that often are subject to localized flooding will reduce future risks of losses due to stormwater/localized flooding. Future development in the District will add to the drainage issues already faced by the District, unless adequate drainage facilities are installed in new development locations.

Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC), extreme cold often accompanies a winter storm or is left in its wake. Snow can occur during these events.

Excess snow can cause avalanches to occur. Prolonged exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and can be life-threatening. Infants and the elderly are some of the most susceptible. Pipes may freeze and burst in homes or buildings that are poorly insulated or without heat. Freezing temperatures can cause significant damage to agricultural industry.

Location and Extent
Extreme cold and freeze events occur on a regional basis. Average low temperatures in the District can reach as low as 29º. There is no scale for extreme cold and freeze other than temperatures below 32°F.

Extreme cold and freeze have a slow onset and can be generally be predicted in advance for the County.

Freeze events can last for hours (in a cold overnight), or for days to weeks at a time. Extreme cold can occur in any location of the City. All portions of the District and County are at risk to extreme cold and freeze.

Snowfall can affect almost all areas of the County and the District. While an average snowfall in the district can be up to 7 inches in a month, there have been instances where up to four feet have fallen in a 24 hour span as seen below in the Chester PUD past occurrences section. Depending on the elevation of any given area, severe snowstorms are some of the most common extreme weather events that occur in the District and Plumas County. There is no scale (i.e. Richter, Enhanced Fujita) to measure the effects of snowfall other than snow depths. Heavy snow has a slow to moderate onset and can generally be predicted in advance for the County. Snow events can last for hours or for days, and snow can stay on the ground for weeks to months at a time.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-32 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
The County has had no past federal and one past state disaster declarations for extreme cold and freeze.

There were no disasters from snow or from avalanche. Table B-9 shows the dates of the disaster declarations. There have been USDA disaster declarations (2016, twice in 2022, 2023) from freeze since 2012.

Table B-9 Plumas County – Federal and State Disaster Declarations for Freeze 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Freeze 1 2007 0 –
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
The NCDC data shows 549 extreme cold, freeze, and snow incidents for Plumas County since 1993, some of which likely affected the District.

Chester PUD Events
Winter 2022 – 2023. Heavy snow caused white out conditions, tree limbs falling on cars and homes, cars stalled due to white out conditions, freezing and breaking of water lines, and road closures occurred in Dec of 2022, Jan of 2023, and March of 2023. In Jan of 2023 up to 4 feet of snow fell in 24 hours. A church caved in and multiple outbuildings were damaged. Roads were closed, it was hard to get supplies to businesses
Climate Change and Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), freezing spells and snow are likely to become less frequent in California as climate temperatures increase; if emissions increase, freezing events could occur only once per decade in large portion of the State by the second half of the 21st century. According to a California Natural Resources Report in 2014, it was determined that while fewer freezing spells would decrease cold related health effects, too few freezes could lead to increased incidence of disease as vectors and pathogens do not die off.

Vulnerability to Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow
Extreme cold and freeze events happen in the District each year. Snow occurs regularly and can contribute to avalanches occurring in sloped areas. Cold, freeze, snow, and avalanche can impact both structures and populations in the Planning Area and in extreme conditions, may affect the ability of the District to operate.

The whole of the District and County Planning Area has some measure of vulnerability to extreme cold, freeze, and snow.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-33 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to this hazard begins with an understanding of local exposure to District. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

Chester PUD is most concerned with an inability to access District source and treatment locations. Along with this, the risk of pipes and water lines freezing is high and power outages can occur during heavy snow events. The District is also concerned with rapid snowmelt from heat or rain on snow events, which can cause greater flooding in the District.

Power outages can also occur during large storm events impacting facility operations. Should a power outage occur, it is important that the District has backup systems in place to prevent or limit the loss of services to the community.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All District staff and populations the District serve are at some vulnerability to extreme cold, freeze, and snow. Some employees may face a risk while working outdoors. All populations served by the District are vulnerable to extreme cold and freeze, but this hazard generally affects people spending large amounts of time outside (including District staff). Prolonged exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and can be life-threatening. Vulnerable populations to cold and freeze include the unhoused; individuals who exercise or train outdoors; outdoor workers; individuals that lack the resources to afford heat; and the young, old, or medically fragile individuals that are more susceptible to cold related impacts. In addition to vulnerable populations, pets and livestock are at risk to freeze and cold. Snow has an effect on buildings, but its effect on people and populations are generally minimal. During periods of heavy snow, access to key District assets by District staff may be limited. Avalanche can affect populations, though the District has few developed areas at risk to avalanche.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Structures and critical facilities and infrastructure in the District have some measure of risk from extreme cold and freeze. Buildings can be affected directly by freeze, pipes that feed buildings can be damaged during periods of extreme cold and cause water damage and other related impacts to a structure. Structures can also be damaged by downed trees during freeze and winter storm events. Snowfall can occur and can be heavy enough to damage structures. Transportation networks, communications, and utilities

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-34 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
infrastructure are the most vulnerable physical assets in the District. Infrastructure such as roads, highways, and bridges can become slippery or blocked by large snow events, causing accidents and road closures.

Those District assets noted as being at risk to severe weather in Table B-2 are at risk.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Depending on how low the temperatures go and the duration of an extreme cold and freeze event, natural resources in the District may be affected. During periods of freeze, trees in the District may be damaged.

This is especially true if a freeze occurs during a winter storm with winds and precipitation. Other natural resources like wildlife may be at risk during a period of freeze. While it is rare for historic buildings to be affected directly by freeze, damages to pipes that feed historic buildings can be damaged during periods of extreme cold and cause additional impacts to the structures.

Impacts from Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow Extreme cold and freeze can affect critical facilities and infrastructure, down trees, break pipes, and can be a life safety issue. Transportation networks, communications, and utilities infrastructure are often the most vulnerable physical assets in the District. Infrastructure such as roads and utilities are at risk to freezing temperatures and snow, causing failures and hazardous road conditions. When extreme cold is coupled with high winds, snows, and freezing storms, power lines may be downed, resulting in power outages and an interruption of utilities and critical services. During periods of extremely low or prolonged cold temperatures, other impacts to the District can include interruption in business and school activities.

The elderly, the young, and those experiencing medical issues are often more vulnerable to temperature extremes, but anyone can be affected. Exposure to cold temperatures can cause hypothermia and frostbite.

Those exercising or recreating outdoors, outdoor workers, and the unhoused may be at a higher risk.

One of the most significant impacts from snow avalanches are the closure of transportation corridors, which can isolate populations and interrupt commodity flows. Avalanches tend to occur during extended periods of snow when new snow is deposited on the existing snow pack causing stress on the layers beneath and triggering a collapse resulting in an avalanche. Avalanches can also be triggered by severe weather such as high winds and unusually warm weather and even earthquake events. There may be occasions where avalanches contribute to the presence of other hazards, such as flash floods resulting from mountainside erosion. Avalanches might cause erosion on sloped terrain, thereby increasing the likelihood of future landslides. In addition, debris deposited in a river or stream because of avalanches might alter its flow and contribute to flooding later.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the Likelihood of Future Occurrence discussion above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-35 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on these factors for the District include the following:
➢ Climate change is unlikely to exacerbate extreme cold, freeze, and snow (and avalanche) and their associated impacts to the District.
➢ Population projections for the area served by the District show the population to be shrinking, which limits additional impacts to the District. The District noted it has no control over population changes, it merely reacts to them by providing additional (or reduced) services. ➢ Changes in land use and development in the District area are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect extreme cold and freeze and associated impacts to the District. In addition, adherence to protective building codes for new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the District to this hazard.

Future Development
Future development built to code should be able to withstand extreme cold and freeze. Pipes at risk of freezing should be mitigated by either burying or insulating them from freeze as new facilities are improved or added. Current State of California and Plumas County codes provide such provisions for new construction.

Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Storms in the District occur annually and are generally characterized by heavy rain often accompanied by strong winds and sometimes lightning and hail. Approximately 10 percent of the thunderstorms that occur each year in the United States are classified as severe. A thunderstorm is classified as severe when it contains one or more of the following phenomena: hail that is three-quarters of an inch or greater, winds in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado. Heavy precipitation in the District falls mainly in the fall, winter, and spring months. It can come normally, or as part of an atmospheric river event. Those events were discussed in Section 4.3.4 of the Base Plan. Wind often accompanies these storms; hail and lightning are rare in the District. Rain coming during times of snow are of particular concern to the District, as even smaller rains can melt snow, causing flooding issues.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-36 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Location and Extent
Heavy rains in Plumas County vary by season and location. Plumas County is located in the Northern portion of the Sierra Nevada region and has significant topographic variation, which causes it to experience a more severe and geographically variable winter climate (discussed in more detail in Section 4.3.2 of the Base Plan). The highest precipitation amounts are seen in the Western portion of the County (where the District is located) where there is an orographic lift that forces air from low elevations to a higher elevation, quickly cooling down the air and raising the relative humidity to 100%. Under the right conditions orographic lifts create rain shadows where high amounts of precipitation are found on the crests of mountain ranges, but as the air descends to the leeward side of the mountain it warms and dries.

Rains and storms can occur in any location of the District. All portions of the District are at risk to heavy rains and storms. Most of the severe rains occur during the fall, winter, and spring months in the District as discussed below. There is no scale by which heavy rains and severe storms are measured. Magnitude of storms is measured often in rainfall and damages. The speed of onset of heavy rains can be short, but accurate weather prediction mechanisms often let the public know of upcoming events. Hail and lightning are rarer in the District and Plumas County. Duration of severe storms in the District can range from minutes to hours to days.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
According to historical hazard data, severe weather, including heavy rains and storms, is an annual occurrence in the District. This contributes to many of the federal disaster declarations related to flooding.

Disaster declarations from flooding, including heavy rains and storms, are shown on Table B-10. IN addition, there have been two USDA disaster declarations from heavy rain and storms (once in 2016 and once in 2017) since 2012.

Table B-10 Plumas County – State and Federal Disaster Declarations from Flood (Heavy Rain and Storms) 1950-2025
Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Flood (including heavy
rains and storms)
22 1950, 1955, 1958 (twice), 1964,
1963, 1964, 1969, 1970 1980,
1986, 1993, 1992*, 1995
(twice*), 1996, 1997, 2006, 2017
(twice*), 2023 (twice*)
19 1950, 1955, 1958 (twice), 1963,
1964, 1969, 1970, 1986, 1992
(twice), 1995 (twice), 1997,
2006*, 2017 (twice*), 2023
(twice*)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
The NCDC data recorded 132 hail, heavy rain, and storm incidents for Plumas County since 1950.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-37 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Chester PUD Events
In 2023, a severe weather event caused significant snowfall to accumulate within the District, causing road closures and property damage.

In addition, the District noted that heavy rains and storms are an annual occurrence often resulting in flooding. Events causing flood issues are listed in the Past Occurrences section of the Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance and Flood: Localized Stormwater Flooding discussions above.

Climate Change and Heavy Rains and Storms
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts from heavy rains and storms. More information on future impacts to the District can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), while average annual rainfall may increase or decrease slightly, the intensity of individual rainfall events is likely to increase during the 21st century.

It is unlikely that hail will become more common in Plumas County and the Chester PUD. The amount of lightning is not projected to change.

Cal-Adapt noted that, on average, the projections show little change in total annual precipitation in California. Furthermore, among several models, precipitation projections do not show a consistent trend during the next century. Cal-Adapt modeled scenarios are shown in Section 4.3.4 of the Base Plan.

Vulnerability to Heavy Rain and Storms
Heavy rain and severe storms are the most frequent type of severe weather occurrences in the District.

These events can cause both significant and localized flooding. Flooding can be worse during times where the ground is already saturated. Wind often accompanies these storms and has caused damage in the past.

Hail is rare in the District, but also can cause damage, with lightning occasionally igniting wildfires.

The whole of the District is at some measure of vulnerability to heavy rain and storms. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to heavy rains and storms begins with an understanding of local exposure to heavy rain and storms. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

The District noted that one of the primary issues associated with heavy rains and storms is the resulting flooding caused by large precipitation events. The District is also concerned with rain or snow events, which can cause greater flooding in the District. Chester is flat, surrounded by mountains, with Lake Almanor at the same elevation. Heavy rains and melting snow packs may clog drainage and cause

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-38 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
waterways to rise, easily impacting Chester. In addition, the District is concerned about power outages, floods, road closures, ground saturation from flooding.

Power outages can also occur during large storm events impacting facility operations. Should a power outage occur, it is important that the District has backup systems in place to prevent or limit the loss of services to the community.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All District staff and the populations served by the District are at some vulnerability to heavy rains and storms. Those District employees that work outdoors could be affected to a limited extent by this hazard.

All populations served by the District have some measure of risk to heavy rains and storms. Those populations that work or recreate outside and unhoused individuals are more vulnerable to impacts from heavy storm events. Heavy rains and storms occur every year and do not generally cause significant adverse impacts to individuals; it is the secondary hazard, flooding, which poses the biggest impact to people.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
District facilities and structures have some risk to heavy rains and storms. Heavy rain and storms can affect critical facilities and infrastructure during large events. Structures built to modern building codes are built to withstand heavy rains and storms (including thunderstorm winds and lightning); older structures may be more vulnerable. During a heavy storm, localized flooding may cause water intrusion into buildings from the outside. Trees can be downed causing impacts to structures. Older homes and buildings may be at increased risk to heavy rains and storms. Power outages during severe storm events can occur, impacting the use of structures until the power is back online. Local roads, streets, and bridges can be impacted resulting in closures restricting traffic flow in the District. In certain areas, large storms can cause erosion and localized landslides which can impact affected facilities.

All District assets in Table B-2 are identified as being at risk to severe weather, including extreme cold, freeze and snow.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Large rain and storm events and associated flooding can affect natural, historic, and cultural resources. Silt and sediment can damage natural areas. Trees can be uprooted and downed by high winds. Extended periods of rainfall can erode natural banks along waterways and degrade soil stability for terrestrial species.

While some natural systems can be adversely impacted during these large storms, heavy rain events can also provide benefits. Groundwater and wetland areas can be recharged and water supplies replenished.

Historic and cultural resources may also be affected. Generally, the impacts are associated with damage to structures affected by large storm events, but other cultural resources such as those associated with Native

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-39 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Americans and old tribal areas can also be disturbed, damaged, and lost during extreme rain and storm and events.

Impacts from Heavy Rain and Storms
Impacts from heavy rains and storms include damage to property, critical facilities and infrastructure, and the natural landscape. This includes: erosion; downed trees; damaged utility structures and infrastructure; power outages; road damage and blockages; and even lightning strikes to critical infrastructure and people.

Lightning can also cause wildfires and urban fires to occur. Landsliding and erosion occur when the soil on slopes becomes oversaturated and fails. Climate change may cause these impacts to worsen.

Actual damage associated with the primary effects of severe storms and heavy rains has been somewhat limited. It is the secondary hazards caused by these severe weather events, such as floods and erosion that would likely have the greatest impact.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile section above), changes in population patterns, and changes in land use and development. The influencing effects of these factors on this hazard are discussed further in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the District include the following:
➢ As discussed in the hazard profile section, climate change is anticipated to exacerbate this hazard over time.
➢ Population projections for the area served by the District show the population to be slowly declining, which limits additional impacts to the District. The District confirmed that future population growth is likely to remain flat or slightly decrease within its service boundaries. The District may add staff, but this number would be small. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to this hazard is unlikely to change as a result. ➢ Changes in land use and development in the District are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect heavy rains and storm and associated impacts to the District. With no identified future growth or development plans, the vulnerability of the District to drought and water shortage is unlikely to change as a result. In addition, adherence to protective building codes for new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the District to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-40 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Future Development
New District facilities follow state and local building codes which should reduce the risk to future development in the District from extreme cold, freeze and snow as well as avalanche. New critical facilities should be built to withstand potential impacts from this hazard.

Wildfire (with smoke and air quality)
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Extremely High
Hazard Profile
Wildland fire and the risk of a conflagration is an ongoing concern for the Chester PUD. Throughout California, communities are increasingly concerned about wildfire safety as increased development in the foothills and mountainous areas and subsequent fire control practices have affected the natural cycle of fire regimes. Wildland fires affect grass, forest, and brushlands, as well as structures. Where there is human access to wildland areas, the risk of fire increases due to a greater chance for human carelessness and historical fire management practices. Historically, the fire season extends from early spring through late fall of each year during the hotter, dryer months; however, in recent years, the risk of wildfire has become a year around concern.

Fire conditions arise from a combination of high temperatures, low moisture content in the air and fuel, accumulation of vegetation, and high winds. These weather conditions can result in red flag (e.g., fire weather) days, and can result in PSPS events in the District. While wildfire risk has predominantly been associated with more remote forested areas and wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, significant wildfires also occur in more populated developed areas. There is also the concern of wildfires occurring in these more remote, forested areas, that under certain weather conditions, can extend into areas not generally considered at a high risk to wildfire. Smoke and air quality also become an issue, both from fires occurring inside and outside of the Plumas County Planning Area and the District.

Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality
Smoke from wildfires is made up of gas and particulate matter, which can be easily observed in the air. Air quality standards have been established to protect human health with the pollutant referred to as PM2.5 which consists of particles 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These smaller sizes of particles are responsible for adverse health effects because of their ability to reach the lower regions of the respiratory tract.

Wildfire smoke can have negative effects to those who live in or near a fire burn area. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Significant wildfires occurring in both Plumas County, nearby northern California communities, and elsewhere have created significant air pollution affecting area residents. This was the case during the 2021 Caldor Fire, as well as others that affected the Plumas County Planning Area.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-41 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Location and Extent
Wildfire can affect all areas of the District. CAL FIRE through recent mapping efforts has created updated wildfire maps showing risk variance across the District and the Plumas County Planning Area. Following the methodology described in Section 4.3.16 of the Base Plan, wildfire maps for the Chester PUD were created. Figure B-6 shows the CAL FIRE State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Federal Responsibility Areas (FRA) and their associated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in the District. Figure B-7 shows the CAL FIRE Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) and their associated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in the District. As shown on the maps, FHSZs within the District range from Non-Wildland to Very High.

Figure B-6 Chester PUD – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-42 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure B-7 Chester PUD – CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones Wildfires tend to be measured in structure damages, injuries, and loss of life as well as on acres burned.

Fires can have a quick speed of onset, especially during periods of drought or during hot dry summer months. Fires can burn for a short period of time or may have durations lasting for a week or more.

Geographical FHSZ extents in the SRA/FRA are shown in Table B-11, while extents in the LRA are shown on Table B-12.

Table B-11 Chester PUD – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Geographical Extents
Jurisdiction /
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Very High 435 37% 275 38% 161 35%
High 37 3% 22 3% 16 3%
Moderate 10 1% 0 0.0% 10 2%
NonWildland/NonUrban0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-43 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Jurisdiction /
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Outside of
Federal / State
Responsibility
Area
696 59% 418 59% 279 60%
Total 1,179 100% 714 100% 465 100%
Source: CAL FIRE
Table B-12 Chester PUD – CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Geographical Extents Jurisdiction /
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Very High 350 30% 222 31% 128 27%
High 195 17% 113 16% 81 17%
Moderate 101 9% 54 8% 47 10%
Non-Wildland 51 4% 29 4% 23 5%
Outside of Local
Responsibility
Area
483 41% 296 41% 186 40%
Total 1,179 100% 714 100% 465 100%
Source: CAL FIRE
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There has been eight state and six federal disaster declarations due to fire, as shown in Table B-13.

Table B-13 Plumas County – State and Federal Wildfire Disaster Declarations 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Fire 8 1960 (unnamed), 1987(Clarks
Fire), 1999 (Bucks Fire), 2020
(twice – Bear Fire, North
Complex Fire), 2021 (three –
Dixie Fire, Monument Fire,
Lava Fire/Beckwourth
Complex)
6 1999 (Bucks Fire), 2008 (BTU
Lightning Complex), 2020
(twice – Bear Fire, North
Complex Fire), 2021 (twice –
Dixie Fire, Lava
Fire/Beckwourth Complex)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
The NCDC has tracked 15 wildfire events in the County dating back to 1993. Many more fires have occurred, but were not reported to the NCDC database.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-44 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Chester PUD Events
There have been several wildfires over the years that have impacted Chester with air quality, road closures, and rising home insurance costs. The only fire that has threatened the community of Chester was the Dixie fire. All but one road was closed, the entire town was evacuated for over a week, supplies were hard to get, 2 structures were burnt across Lake Almanor, smoke damage occurred to many homes through the ventilation, and animals were pushed into town and farther out. The burn scar causes ecological and economical damages including tourism and population decline, fire insurance rising considerably, the dead trees becoming overloaded with beetles, no protection from the wind due to loss of trees, schools and businesses were shut down.

Climate Change and Wildfire
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts from wildfire. More information on future impacts to the District can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Warmer temperatures can exacerbate drought conditions. Drought often kills plants and trees, which serve as fuel for wildfires. Warmer temperatures could increase the number of wildfires and pest outbreaks, such as the western pine beetle. Cal-Adapt’s wildfire tool predicts the potential increase in the amount of burned areas for the year 2090-2099, as compared to recent (2010) conditions. This is shown in Section 4.3.16 of the Base Plan. Based on this model, Cal-Adapt predicts that wildfire risk in Plumas County will increase moderately at the end of the century. However, wildfire models can vary depending on the parameters used. Cal-Adapt does not take landscape and fuel sources into account in their model. In all likelihood, in the Plumas County Planning Area, precipitation patterns, high levels of heat, topography, and fuel load will determine the frequency and intensity of future wildfire.

Vulnerability to Wildfire
Risk and vulnerability to the District from wildfire is of significant concern. Wildfires that occur in the District occur from a variety of both natural and manmade causes. The District can be affected both by fires that start on or near District lands as well as those that start elsewhere and move into the District. In addition to burning large areas of land, air quality can be affected in the District by smoke from fires occurring inside the District as well as those from many miles away.

The whole of the District is at some measure of vulnerability to wildfire. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to wildfire begins with an understanding of local exposure to wildfire. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-45 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
If a large wildfire were to occur in the District, above ground infrastructure would have to be completely replaced. Economic impacts could be severe as Chester could lose a significant portion, if not all, of District income depending on the severity of the fire; from population decline as well as a reduction in tourism.

Chester thrives off summer tourism and a fire significantly impacts the tourism of the area. The busyness of the summer allows small business to survive through the winter. Along with that, the nearby lake needs to maintain the beautiful surroundings for tourism to be continual throughout the summer.

Fire can cause the District, and the population that stay, to rebuild and restart with all aspects of having a functioning society. It can take years to rebuild District infrastructure. Income to rebuild could be diminished to nothing.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations served; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All populations (both District staff and Service Area populations) are at some vulnerability to wildfire.

Certain vulnerable populations are at greater risk to the effects of wildfire as well as smoke and air quality issues that wildfires bring. Vulnerable populations include the unhoused, infants and children under age five and their caregivers, the elderly (65 and older), individuals with disabilities, individuals’ dependent on medical equipment, individuals who exercise, recreate, or work (like District staff) outdoors, and individuals with impaired mobility.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
All structures in the District have some risk to wildfire. Wildfire presents a threat to critical facilities and infrastructure. This includes most of the District assets that were shown on Table B-2 above.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural, historic, and cultural resources located within areas at risk to wildfire would be vulnerable. Should a wildfire occur in the District, the impacts to natural, historic and cultural resources could be extensive and include air pollution, contamination from water runoff containing toxic products, other environmental discharges or releases from burned materials affecting soils, habitat areas, wildlife, and aquatic resources, and total destruction of natural resources. Debris and runoff from burned areas can affect reservoirs and rivers in the District. Historic and cultural resources can be damaged or destroyed and are often more vulnerable due to their older age, construction type, and lack of fire prevention infrastructure such as sprinklers.

Impacts from Wildfire
Potential impacts from wildfire include loss of life and injuries; damage to structures, critical facilities and infrastructure, and other improvements, natural and cultural resources, croplands, and timber; and loss of recreational opportunities. Out of control wildfires can have catastrophic impacts. Wildfires can cause

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-46 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
short-term and long-term disruption to the District. Fires can have devastating effects on watersheds through loss of vegetation and soil erosion, which may impact the District by changing runoff patterns, increasing sedimentation, reducing natural and reservoir water storage capacity, and degrading water quality. Fires can also affect air quality in the District; smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Smoke impacts may come from wildfires outside the District, as well as from within.

Although the physical damages and casualties arising from wildland-urban interface or conflagration fires may be severe, it is important to recognize that they also cause significant economic impacts by resulting in a loss of function of buildings and infrastructure. Economic impacts of loss of transportation and utility services may include traffic delays/detours from road and bridge closures and loss of electric power, potable water, and wastewater services. Schools and businesses can be forced to close for extended periods of time.

Recently, the threat of wildfire, combined with the potential for high winds, heat, and low humidity, has caused PG&E, Plumas Sierra REC, or Liberty Utilities to initiate a PSPS which can also significantly impact a community through loss of services, business closures, and other impacts associated with loss of power for an extended period. In addition, catastrophic wildfire can create favorable conditions for other hazards such as flooding, landslides, and erosion during the rainy season.

The impacts of a fire are felt long after the fire is extinguished. In addition to the loss of property in fires, the loss in vegetation and changes in surface soils alters the environment. When supporting vegetation is burned, hillsides become destabilized and prone to erosion. The burnt surface soils are harder and absorb less water. When winter rains come, this leads to increased runoff, erosion, and landslides in hilly areas.

Impacts to the District include potential loss of water availability for fire suppression and/or consumption.

Wastewater treatment can also be rendered inoperable when wildfire eliminates the availability of electricity. All wastewater equipment have generators, however, the water distribution equipment does not.

Without backup electricity generation, water and wastewater cannot be conveyed. Water quality will also suffer if water treatment functionality is compromised. The economic impact alone to the District including the loss of function of buildings and infrastructure and the cost of reacting to these fires is a major concern.

Wildfire smoke can also have negative effects to those who live in or near a fire burn area. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Significant wildfires occurring in nearby northern California communities since the previous LHMP have created significant air pollution affecting area residents. District residents have been affected by wildfire smoke and poor air quality, from fires both within the County and from those much further away.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-47 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the Chester PUD include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future wildfire conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the District to wildfire.
➢ Population projections for the area served by the District show the population to be slowly declining, which limits additional impacts to the District. The District confirmed that future population growth is likely to remain flat or slightly decrease within its service boundaries. The District may add staff, but this number would be small. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to this hazard is unlikely to change as a result. ➢ Changes in land use and development in the District are expected to be limited in the near future and thus would have possible associated wildfire impacts to the District. With no identified future growth or development plans, the vulnerability of the District to drought and water shortage is unlikely to change as a result. Adherence to protective building codes for new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the District to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal.

Future Development
Additional growth and development within moderate or higher fire hazard severity zones in the District would place additional assets at risk to wildfire. The District will take wildfire into account when siting new facilities. Fire hydrants, defensible space, well production, water storage, and distribution should all be considered when assessing future development. New facilities will be built to the most current California Building standards for wildfire.

B.5 Capability Assessment
Capabilities are the programs and policies currently in use to reduce hazard impacts or that could be used to implement hazard mitigation activities. This capabilities assessment is divided into five sections:
regulatory mitigation capabilities, administrative and technical mitigation capabilities, fiscal mitigation capabilities, mitigation education, outreach, and partnerships, and other mitigation efforts.

B.5.1. Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Table B-14 lists regulatory mitigation capabilities, including planning and land management tools, typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities and indicates those that are in place in the Chester PUD.

Note: The District does not have the authority to regulate land use and development within its jurisdiction.

Authority for promulgating and enforcing zoning, land use, and development requirements falls to counties and incorporated communities. As such development within the District’s jurisdictional boundaries will conform to the zoning and land use development ordinances and building codes of the county or incorporated community in which the District is located.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-48 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table B-14 Chester PUD’s Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities Plans
In Place
Y/N
Does the plan address hazards? Can the plan be used to
carry out mitigation actions? When was it last updated?? Capital Improvements Plan N We will be creating one
Climate Change Adaptation Plan N
Community Wildfire Protection Plan N Penn Fire will be working on this plan General Plan/Comprehensive
Plan/Master Plan
N
Continuity of Operations Plan N
Economic Development Plan N
Land Use Plan N
Local Emergency Operations Plan N
Stormwater Management Plan N
Transportation Plan N
Other
Land Use Planning and Ordinances Y/N
Is the ordinance an effective way to reduce hazard
impacts?
Is the ordinance adequately administered and enforced?
Acquisition of land for open space and
public recreation use
N/A
Building code N/A
Flood insurance rate maps N/A
Floodplain ordinance N/A
Natural hazard-specific ordinance
(stormwater, steep slope, wildfire)
N/A
Subdivision ordinance N/A
Zoning ordinance N/A
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? The acquisition of land for recreational uses is an ordinance we need. The rest are covered pretty good by the County ordinances.

Source: Chester PUD
B.5.2. Administrative/Technical Mitigation Capabilities Table B-15 identifies the District department(s) responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in the Chester PUD.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-49 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table B-15 Chester PUD’s Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities Administration
In
Place
Y/N
Describe capability
Is coordination effective?
Staff
Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations?
Is staff trained on hazards and mitigation?
Is coordination between agencies and staff effective?
Chief Building Official N
Civil Engineer, including dam and levee
safety
N
Community Planner Y
Emergency Manager Y
Floodplain Administrator N
GIS Coordinator N
Planning Commission N
Other
Technical Y/N
Has capability been used to assess/mitigate risk in the past?
Grant writing Y Y
Hazard data and information N
GIS analysis N
Mutual aid agreements Y Theres one with Indian Valley. We are working on updating it.

Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? The District would like to work with all neighboring utility districts on mutual aid agreements. Most District grants are not for mitigation. They typically are for when we are under a violation notice or in an emergency situation.

Source: Chester PUD
B.5.3. Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
Table B-16 identifies financial tools or resources that the District could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities.

Table B-16 Chester PUD’s Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities Funding Resource
In Place
Y/N
Has the funding resource been used in past
and for what type of activities?
Could the resource be used to fund future
mitigation actions?
Capital improvements project funding N Water and wastewater facilities Community Development Block Grant N
Federal funding programs (non-FEMA) N State funding is our normal grant source

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-50 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Funding Resource
In Place
Y/N
Has the funding resource been used in past
and for what type of activities?
Could the resource be used to fund future
mitigation actions?
Fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric services N
Impact fees for new development N
State funding programs Y Water and wastewater facilities and Chester Fire
Stormwater utility fee N
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? The District is in need of a capital improvement plan. That will be worked on in the future.

Source: Chester PUD
B.5.4. Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Table B-17 identifies education and outreach programs and methods already in place that could be/or are used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information.

Table B-17 Chester PUD’s Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Program/Organization
In Place
Y/N
How widespread are each of these in your
community?
Community newsletters N
Hazard awareness campaigns (such as Firewise,
Storm Ready, Severe Weather Awareness Week,
school programs, public events)
N
Local news Y
Organizations that interact with underserved and
vulnerable communities
N
Social media N
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? We plan to have an informational Facebook page to communicate with the public. We also send out mass mailings when required
Source: Chester PUD
B.5.5. Other Mitigation Efforts
The District has many other completed or ongoing mitigation projects/efforts that include the following:
➢ Wastewater pond expansion
➢ Fuel reductions
➢ Back up power

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-51 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
B.6 Mitigation Strategy
B.6.1. Mitigation Goals and Objectives
The Chester PUD adopts the hazard mitigation goals and objectives developed by the HMPC and described in Chapter 5 Mitigation Strategy.

B.6.2. NFIP Mitigation Strategy
The District does not participate in the NFIP, as it is not an eligible participant. Many of the District’s projects work to reduce impacts from flooding thus furthering the objectives of the NFIP.

B.6.3. Mitigation Actions
The Planning Team for the Chester PUD identified and prioritized the following mitigation actions based on the risk assessment. Background information and information on how each action will be implemented and administered, such as ideas for implementation, responsible office, potential funding, , and timeline are also included. The following hazards were considered a priority to the District for purposes of mitigation action planning based on criteria detailed in Chapter 5:
➢ Drought & Water Shortage (w/tree mortality)
➢ Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/ levee failure)
➢ Floods: Localized Stormwater
➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) ➢ Severe Weather: Heavy Rain and Storms (Wind, Hail, Lightning) ➢ Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality)
Non-priority hazards to the District for mitigation planning include:
➢ Agricultural Hazards (Severe Weather/Pests/Invasive Species) ➢ Climate Change
➢ Dam Failure
➢ Earthquake
➢ Hazardous Materials Transport
➢ Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow
➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Heat
➢ Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornado
➢ Volcano
It should be noted that many of the projects submitted by each jurisdiction in Table 5-4 in the Base Plan benefit all jurisdictions whether or not they are the lead agency. Further, many of these mitigation efforts are collaborative efforts among multiple local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, the countywide public outreach action, as well as many of the emergency services actions, apply to all hazards and jurisdictions regardless of hazard priority. Collectively, this LHMP’s multi-jurisdictional mitigation strategy includes only those actions and projects which reflect the actual priorities and capacity of each

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-52 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
jurisdiction to implement over the next 5-years covered by this plan. It should further be noted, that each jurisdiction has focused on identifying those mitigation actions and projects to address their priority hazards, which are both realistic and reasonable for them to implement for this 5-year planning process, and would like to preserve their right to modify hazard priorities should future projects be identified where the implementing jurisdiction has the future capacity to implement.

Mitigation Actions
Action 1. Asbestos Water Line Natural Disaster Hazard
Hazards Addressed: Drought and Water Shortage, Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance, Severe Extreme Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms, and Wildfire.

Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): All of the water lines in Chester are made of asbestos cement.

Contractors frequently installed asbestos cement (AC) pipes in water systems from the 1920s through the late 1970s. The use of these pipes was largely discontinued in North America by the 1980s due to growing health concerns about asbestos exposure. If the pipes are dry without water going through them, they can become brittle and will become a high health hazard. Asbestos water lines can release fibers into drinking water and air, posing a risk of health problems like kidney and gastrointestinal cancers, and potentially benign intestinal polyps. Undisturbed, intact asbestos-cement pipe is considered less hazardous, but damaged or dry asbestos pipe a serious concern. It is unknown how long the pipes would need to be dry to become brittle and release the excess of fibers. If there was a water outage (of an extended duration) CPUD would test the water once service was restored. If the test fails the required limit of 0.2 million fibers per liter (MFL), the asbestos pipe should be replaced immediately to avoid potential serious health issues that could lead to some cancers and possibly death. Breaks in the lines from hazard events could cause impacts.

These impacts could be greater if drought conditions worsened water shortages.

Project Description: All asbestos cement water lines to be replaced with C900, which can withstand extended water outages.

Other Alternatives: Routinely notify the public of the hazard and failed tests, and continue to provide water with known serious health risks after a natural disaster occurs.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Chester PUD does not have the funds to replace the water pipes with the correct material, C900 PVC. Grant funding to replace the pipes before a natural disaster creates the hazard, is CPUD’s only option to avoid extended water outages, health hazards, and emergency public notifications. Implement as a stand alone project. The District will not be able to recover the required funds to replace the AC pipe due to the high cost of the project.

Responsible Office/Partners: Chester Public Utility District General Manager Benefits (Losses Avoided): Human and animal life and wellness is a major concern with the ability to deliver safe drinking water after a natural disaster a top priority. The project could cost around 30 million

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-53 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
dollars. If the District has to absorb that cost in a loan, the rate payers will have to absorb that cost in their monthly base rate and water will not be deliverable at a rate that anyone can afford, (around $4000 a month).

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): The District is currently contracted with RCAC to apply for all grant options. We are researching Federal, State, County, and Foundations for grant options.

Possible grants include; grants.gov, FEMA HMGP, DFA, Kevin Kiley’s office, USDA, RCAC, CRWA, EPA, SWRCB, WRFP, CWSRF, SWRPs, DWP, NFWF, RUS…
Timeline: To be initiated and completed within the 1-5 years covered by this plan (may take longer due to planning and funding application processing)
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 2. Backup Power
Hazards Addressed: Drought and Water Shortage, Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance, Severe Extreme Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms, and Wildfire.

Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Climate change leads to drought, Fire, and flooding, and climate change which cause many natural hazards that can create extended power outages. The District is currently short a generator for one of our wells and has no solar. Fuel for generators can be a limited resource during an extended power outages.

Project Description: Add an additional automatic generator to provide backup power to one of the District’s wells, a fuel reserve storage tank, solar to all well and wastewater powered locations. This will allow continuous operations for water and wastewater during extended power outages.

Other Alternatives: No action
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Implement as a stand alone project.

Responsible Office/Partners: Chester Public Utility District General Manager Benefits (Losses Avoided): The district can continue regular facility services to customers during power outages. Solar would save thousands monthly on water pumping costs. Automated operations during power outages would save thousands annually on staff time. Customer’s quality of life during emergencies would be improved with continuous service.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): The District is currently contracted with RCAC to apply for all grant options. We are researching Federal, State, County, and Foundations for grant options.

Possible grants include; grants.gov, FEMA HMGP, DFA, Kevin Kiley’s office, USDA, RCAC, CRWA, EPA, SWRCB, WRFP, CWSRF, SWRPs, DWP, NFWF, RUS…
Timeline: Within 2 years

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-54 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 3. Public Outreach Program
Hazards Addressed: Drought and Water Shortage, Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance, Severe Extreme Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms, and Wildfire.

Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Community preparedness is vital during emergencies and natural disasters.

Project Description: Bringing awareness to the community of how to be prepared for natural hazards of concern that can lead to community emergency situations. There is a ham radio at Chester PUD at other local locations, monitored and tested monthly by a local group, Almanor Repeater Foundation. The same group maintains an AM radio frequency 147.735 MHz WRTZ-707 for emergency communications and alerts. We want to help promote the Ham and AM radio stations as part of our hazard and emergency outreach program by means of CPUD’s website, Facebook, and through the Chamber of commerce’s public outreach platform.

Other Alternatives: No Action
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: CPUD will coordinate with the Almanor Hams, become members of the Chamber of Commerce and utilize their platform, attend town hall meetings, and maintain our Facebook page and website.

Responsible Office/Partners: Chester Public Utility District General Manager and the Almanor Hams Benefits (Losses Avoided): Being prepared avoids chaos, loss of life and property, unnecessary costs, panic, vehicle accidents and added stress
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): Internal district staff time Timeline: Less than a year and annually
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 4. Tree and Brush Removal
Hazards Addressed: Drought and Water Shortage, Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance, Severe Extreme Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms, and Wildfire.

Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Trees and brush around our facilities pose a hazard in a natural disaster. Drought kills trees and brush, and creates high fire hazard conditions. The weight of heavy snow can cause trees and limbs to fall on buildings.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-55 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Project Description: Remove trees and brush within defensible space limits set by Cal Fire.

Other Alternatives: No Action
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Implement as a stand alone project. Hire a licensed company to create a defensible space around all infrastructure facilities.

Responsible Office/Partners: Chester Public Utility District General Manager Benefits (Losses Avoided): Possibly millions in damages and District wide water and wastewater outages can be prevented depending on the natural disaster that occurs. Life safety protection Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): RCAC are contracted to apply for grants for CPUD. Some of the following sources will be applied for: Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program, Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program (CWDG), State Fire Capacity (SFC) Grant Program, Cal Fire, FEMA HMGP, other State and Federal grants, foundations.

Timeline: 1 year, and ongoing
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 5. Wastewater Infrastructure
Hazards Addressed: Drought and Water Shortage, Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance, Severe Extreme Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms, and Wildfire.

Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): A natural disaster emergency could cause damage to our existing wastewater collection and treatment system. If the wastewater collection pipes are broken, the levees at the ponds are broken, or the treatment plant burned or flooded due to a natural hazard it would mean around 1400 customers without the ability to occupy their homes or businesses until repair work was completed and potentially a major environmental contamination. It could contaminate the drinking water system and Lake Almanor. Our existing wastewater system is approximately 60 years old, making it more susceptible to breaks from natural disasters.

Project Description: Wastewater collection and treatment system Other Alternatives: No action
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: The District is in the construction grant application process to perform upgrades to the treatment plant and replace a section of the collection system which will mitigate weak areas. The pond levees and most of the collection system do not currently have any grant applications in process. Replacing weak points is the best form of mitigation. Implement as a stand alone project.

Responsible Office/Partners: Chester Public Utility District General Manager

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-56 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Benefits (Losses Avoided): Replacing weak parts of the wastewater system will protect the environment from wastewater contamination, as well as reinforcing the pond levees. If the wastewater system is damaged in an emergency the cost would be much higher to replace and clean up contamination. Human health is a grave concern if the drinking water or lake Almanor is contaminated with wastewater.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): Chester PUD does not have the funds to replace the wastewater system and clean up contamination. The customers would have to spend thousands to relocate temporarily or permanently. We are currently contracted with RCAC to apply for all grant options.

We are researching Federal, State, County, and Foundations for grant options. Possible grants include; grants.gov, FEMA HMGP, DFA, Kevin Kiley’s office, USDA, RCAC, CRWA, EPA, SWRCB, WRFP, CWSRF, SWRPs, DWP, NFWF, RUS.

Timeline: To be initiated and completed within the 1-5 years covered by this plan (may take longer due to planning and funding application processing)
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 6. Wireless Radio Meters
Hazards Addressed: Drought and Water Shortage, Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance, Severe Extreme Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms, and Wildfire.

Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Severe weather and heavy snow makes it impossible to read meters in the winter. Currently CPUD waits until the snow is removable or mostly melted to read meters and bills for the total usage. The problem is there is no way to tell if there are any leaks from freezing pipes or other breaks. This can cause storage capacity issues and high customer bills. During fires and other natural disasters meters can still be safely read with wireless radio meters, leaks immediately detected and storage capacity maintained.

Project Description: Replace existing manually read meters with wireless radio meters.

Other Alternatives: No action
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Implement as a stand alone project. CPUD needs a grant to pay for the meters and install them. We can require them with all new annexed parcels.

Responsible Office/Partners: Chester Public Utility District General Manager Benefits (Losses Avoided): Huge financial savings for the District and the customers. Ability to maintain water storage and deliver continuous water service to all customers throughout the extreme conditions and natural disasters.

Plumas County Chester Public Utility District Annex B-57 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): We are currently contracted with RCAC to apply for all grant options. We are researching Federal, State, County, and Foundations for grant options. Possible grants include; grants.gov, FEMA HMGP, DFA, Kevin Kiley’s office, USDA, RCAC, CRWA, EPA, SWRCB, WRFP, CWSRF, SWRPs, DWP, NFWF, RUS…
Timeline: Within 2 years
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-1
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Annex C Feather River Resource Conservation District
C.1 Introduction
This Annex details the hazard mitigation planning elements specific to the Feather River Resource Conservation District (FRRCD or District), a new participating jurisdiction to the 2026 Plumas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Update. This Annex is not intended to be a standalone document but appends to and supplements the information contained in the Base Plan document. As such, all sections of the Base Plan, including the planning process and other procedural requirements apply to and were met by the District. This Annex provides information specific to the FRRCD, with a focus on providing additional details on the planning process, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy for this jurisdiction.

C.2 Planning Process
As described above, the FRRCD followed the planning process detailed in Chapter 3 of the Base Plan. In addition to providing representation on the Plumas County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC), the District formulated their own internal planning team to support the broader planning process requirements. Internal planning participants, their positions, and how they participated in the planning process are shown in Table C-1. Additional details on Plan participation and District representatives are included in Appendix A.

Table C-1 FRRCD – Planning Team
Name Position/Title How Participated
Michael Hall District Manager Attended planning meetings, completed mitigation plans, solicited feedback from FRRCD Directors and Staff.

Source: FRRCD
C.3 District Profile
The community profile for the FRRCD is detailed in the following sections. Figure C-1 displays a District map and the location of FRRCD within Plumas County.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-2
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure C-1 FRRCD
C.3.1. Overview and Background
In response to the national “Dust Bowl” crisis of the 1930s, the federal government passed legislation in 1937 establishing the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). Local Conservation Districts were set up under state law to be controlled by board of directors in order to provide local input and direction to the SCS. In California, Conservation Districts have been formed in nearly all parts of the state beginning in the 1940s.

Many have been consolidated over time and of the hundreds of districts that once existed in California, 102 remain. Soil Conservation Districts were originally empowered to manage soil and water resources for conservation, but these powers were expanded in the early 1970s to include “related resources,” including fish and wildlife habitat. This expansion is responsible for the name change to “Resource” Conservation Districts in 1971.

Once called the Indian-American Valleys Resource Conservation District, the Feather River RCD was instated in 1954. In 1993, the District boundaries were expanded to coincide closer to the boundaries of Plumas County. It was during this boundary expansion that the District’s name was changed to the Feather River RCD. The Feather River RCD is located in the Sacramento Valley Region of California RCDs.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-3
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
The District’s mission is to advocate resource conservation through education and collaborative efforts with willing landowners and organizations that promote economic and ecological sustainability.

The District Boundary encompasses approximately 2,259 square miles (1,445,907 acres) including a variety of landowners and land uses. The District Boundary falls in and around many communities including Quincy, Portola, Genesee, Taylorsville, Greenville, Crescent Mills, Lake Almanor, Canyon Dam, and Chester. The District’s boundary extends to the Lassen, Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Yuba, and Sierra County lines.

C.4 Risk Assessment
As defined by FEMA, risk is a combination of hazard, vulnerability, and exposure. “It is the impact that a hazard would have on people, services, facilities, and structures in a community and refers to the likelihood of a hazard event resulting in an adverse condition that causes injury or damage.” The FRRCD risk assessment identifies and profiles relevant hazards and assesses the exposure of lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment to these hazards. The process allows for a better understanding of the District’s potential risk and vulnerability to hazards and provides a framework for developing and prioritizing mitigation actions to reduce risk from future hazard events.

Building on the District Profile above, a risk assessment was performed for the District. This includes the following sections:
➢ C.4.1 Assets Inventory and Growth and Development Trends ➢ C.4.2 Hazard Identification
➢ C.4.3 Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability to Specific Hazards C.4.1. Assets Inventory and Growth and Development Trends This section provides an inventory of the FRRCD’s total assets potentially at risk to hazards and an overview of growth and development trends. This section is broken into two parts:
➢ Asset Inventory – The assets inventory identifies the FRRCD’s total assets, including the people and populations; structures; critical facilities and infrastructure; community lifelines; natural, historic, and cultural resources; and economic assets and community activities of value. This data is not hazard specific, but is representative of total assets within the District, potentially at risk to identified hazards as discussed in Section C.4.3 Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability to Specific Hazards. ➢ Growth and Development Trends – A discussion of growth and development trends in the District, both current and future, is presented.

Assets Inventory
The District’s asset inventory is detailed in the following sections:
➢ People and Populations
➢ Structures

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-4
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
➢ Community Lifelines
➢ Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
➢ Economic Assets and Community Activities of Value
A discussion of each of these assets follows and serves as the template for the asset discussion for each hazard in Section C.4.3.

People and Populations
The most important asset within any community are the people and populations that reside in the community. People and populations in the District include both District staff and workers as well as those populations located within District boundaries and are served by the District. This section includes an inventory of past and current populations of the District and also discusses vulnerable populations and underserved communities as a subsection of people and populations located within the District and potentially at risk to hazards. Information from the District and other sources as detailed below form the basis of this discussion.

Historic Population Trends and Current Population
The most important asset within any community are the people and populations that reside in the District.

The District has 7 staff. In addition to District staff, the District provides services to the entire Plumas County Planning Area, which was discussed in greater detail in Chapter 4 (including discussion on vulnerable populations).

Structures and Critical Facilities
This section considers the FRRCD’s assets at risk, with a focus on key District assets such as critical facilities and infrastructure, and other District assets and their values. With respect to District assets, the majority of these assets are considered critical facilities as defined for this Plan. Critical facilities are defined for this Plan as:

Any facility, including without limitation, a structure, infrastructure, property, equipment or service, that if adversely affected during a hazard event may result in severe consequences to public health and safety or interrupt essential services and operations for the community at any time before, during and after the hazard event.

A critical facility is classified by the following categories: (1) Essential Services Facilities: (2) At-Risk Populations Facilities, and (3) Hazardous Materials Facilities.

FRRCD owns no facilities or properties.

Community Lifelines
Assessing the vulnerability of the FRRCD to natural hazards and disasters also involves reviewing and inventorying the community lifelines in place that could be affected. It is important to include these items in hazard discussions as the continuous operation of critical government and business functions is essential

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-5
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
to human health and safety, property protection, and economic security. The importance of community lifelines is discussed below:
➢ Lifelines are the most fundamental services in the community that, when stabilized, enable all other aspects of society to function.
➢ FEMA has developed a method for objectives-based response that prioritizes the rapid stabilization of Community Lifelines after a disaster.
➢ The integrated network of assets, services, and capabilities that provide lifeline services are used dayto-day to support the recurring needs of the community and enable all other aspects of society to function.
➢ When disrupted, decisive intervention (e.g., rapid re-establishment or employment of contingency response solutions) is required to stabilize the incident.

Community lifelines, as defined by FEMA, include the following:
➢ Safety and Security – Law Enforcement/Security, Fire Service, Search and Rescue, Government Service, Community Safety
➢ Food, Hydration, Shelter – Food, Water, Shelter, Agriculture ➢ Health and Medical – Medical Care, Public Health, Patient Movement, Medical Supply Chain, Fatality Management
➢ Energy – Power Grid, Fuel
➢ Communications – Infrastructure, Responder Communications, Alerts Warnings and Messages, Finance, 911 and Dispatch
➢ Transportation – Highway/Roadway/Motor Vehicle, Mass Transit, Railway, Aviation, Maritime ➢ Hazardous Material – Facilities, HAZMAT, Pollutants, Contaminants ➢ Water Systems – Potable Water Infrastructure, Wastewater Management It should be noted that these community lifelines are all in place and functional as part of regular government operations in the Plumas County Planning Area serving as a partnership between the city, local special districts and agencies, and Plumas County. Due to its more rural nature, there is an interplay in community lifelines between all jurisdictions in the County. Most all of the District’s community lifelines overlap with the Planning Area’s. It should also be noted that these lifelines collectively include many of the critical facilities and infrastructure assets inventoried for this LHMP. As such, specific information on these community lifelines in the District and how they may be affected by a hazard event or disaster are discussed in the Base Plan.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Assessing the vulnerability of the FRRCD to natural hazards and disasters also involves inventorying the natural, historic, and cultural assets of the area. This step is important for the following reasons:
➢ Environmental and natural resources add to a community’s identity and quality of life. They also help the local economy through agriculture, tourism, and recreation. They support ecosystem services, such as clean air and water.
➢ Conserving the environment may help people mitigate risk. It can also protect sensitive habitats, develop parks and trails, and build the economy.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-6
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ The community may decide that these types of resources warrant a greater degree of protection due to their unique and irreplaceable nature and contribution to the overall economy. ➢ If these resources are impacted by a disaster, knowing so ahead of time allows for more prudent care in the immediate aftermath, when the potential for additional impacts are higher. ➢ The rules for reconstruction, restoration, rehabilitation, and/or replacement are often different for these types of designated resources.
➢ Natural resources can have beneficial functions that reduce the impacts of natural hazards, such as wetlands and riparian habitat, which help absorb and attenuate floodwaters.

Natural Resources
FRRCD has a variety of natural resources of value to the District. These natural resources parallel that of Plumas County as a whole. Information can be found in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan.

Historic and Cultural Resources
FRRCD has a variety of historic and cultural resources of value to the District. These historic and cultural resources parallel that of Plumas County as a whole. Information can be found in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan.

Economic Assets and Community Activities of Value
Assessing the vulnerability of the FRRCD to natural hazards and disasters also involves inventorying the economic assets and community activities of value in the District.

Economic Assets
After a disaster, economic resiliency is one of the major drivers of a speedy recovery. Each community has specific economic drivers. Economic assets for the County were discussed in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan and are assumed to be the same or similar for the District.

Community Activities of Value
Inventorying economic assets in the District and their vulnerability to natural hazards and disasters also involves inventorying activities that have value to the community. This includes activities that are important to a community, like long-standing traditions such as a festival or fair or other activities that bring money into the communities such as sports tournaments and other recreational activities. Community Activities of Value for the County were discussed in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan and are assumed to be the same or similar for the District.

Growth and Development Trends
As part of the planning process, the District looked at changes in growth and development, both current and future, and examined these changes in the context of hazard-prone areas, and how the changes in growth and development affect loss estimates and vulnerability over time. This inventory section details future

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-7
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
development/redevelopment projects that are likely to occur over the next five years covered by this 2026 LHMP. For Districts, this generally includes the following:
➢ Construction/development projects related to adding new District facilities, infrastructure, land acquisition, etc.
➢ Plans for expansion or build out of the District’s service area, including new service hookups, and other District functions related to where the District will be expanding services.

Population Trends and Projections
General growth in the District parallels that of the Plumas County Planning Area as a whole. Information can be found in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan. The District may also consider modifying the number and types of new staff over the next five years to support District objectives.

Future Development Areas
As previously described, the FRRCD is a unique District in the Plumas County Planning Area. It does not own any facilities or properties. The District’s mission is to advocate resource conservation through education and collaborative efforts with willing landowners and organizations that promote economic and ecological sustainability. As such, the District has no plans to acquire or develop new properties or add structures to support their District objectives. Further, the District has no control over future development within its District boundaries.

C.4.2. Hazard Identification
The FRRCD identified the hazards that affect the District and summarized their location, extent, likelihood of future occurrence, potential magnitude, and significance (or priority of a hazard) specific to the District.

Note: Those hazards identified as a high or medium significance in Table C-2 are considered priority hazards for mitigation planning. Those hazards that occur infrequently or have little or no impact in the District were determined to be of low significance and not considered a priority hazard to the District.

Significance was determined based on the hazard profile, focusing on key criteria such as frequency, extent, and resulting damage, including deaths/injuries and property, natural and cultural resources, and economic damage. The ability of a jurisdiction to reduce losses through implementation of existing and new mitigation measures was also considered as to the significance and priority of a hazard. This assessment was used to prioritize those hazards of greatest significance, enabling the District to focus resources where they are most needed.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-8
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table C-2 FRRCD—Hazard Identification Assessment
Hazard
Geographic
Extent
Likelihood of
Future
Occurrences
Magnitude/
Severity Significance
Climate
Change
Influence
Agricultural Hazards (severe
weather/pests/invasive species)
– – – Low Medium
Avalanche – – – Low Medium
Climate Change Extensive Highly Likely Limited High –
Dam Failure – – – Low Medium
Drought & Water shortage (w/ tree
mortality)
– – – Low High
Earthquake (w/subhazards) – – – Low Low
Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/
levee failure)
– – – Low Medium
Floods: Localized Stormwater Limited Likely Limited Medium Medium Hazardous Materials Transport – – – Low
Landslide, Mudslide, Debris Flow Limited Likely Limited Medium Medium Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze,
and Snow
– – – Low Medium
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat – – – Low High
Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms
(Hail, Lightning)
– – – Low Medium
Severe Weather: High Winds and
Tornadoes
– – – Low Medium
Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) Extensive Highly Likely Catastrophic High High Geographic Extent
Limited: Less than 10% of planning
area
Significant: 10-50% of planning area
Extensive: 50-100% of planning area
Likelihood of Future
Occurrences
Highly Likely: Near 100% chance of
occurrence in next year, or happens
every year.

Likely: Between 10 and 100% chance
of occurrence in next year, or has a
recurrence interval of 10 years or less.

Occasional: Between 1 and 10%
chance of occurrence in the next year,
or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100
years.

Unlikely: Less than 1% chance of
occurrence in next 100 years, or has a
recurrence interval of greater than every
100 years.

Magnitude/Severity
Catastrophic: More than 50 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for more than 30 days; and/or multiple deaths Critical: 25-50 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for at least two weeks; and/or injuries and/or illnesses result in permanent disability
Limited: 10-25 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for more than a week; and/or injuries/illnesses treatable do not result in permanent disability
Negligible: Less than 10 percent of property severely damaged, shutdown of facilities and services for less than 24 hours; and/or injuries/illnesses treatable with first aid
Significance
Low: Minimal potential impact
Medium: Moderate potential impact
High: Widespread potential impact
Climate Change Influence
Low: Minimal potential impact
Medium: Moderate potential impact
High: Widespread potential impact

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-9
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
C.4.3. Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability to Specific Hazards This section includes the hazard profiles and vulnerability assessment for hazards ranked of medium or high significance specific to the FRRCD (as identified in the Significance column of Table C-2). This section focuses on where and how the District is affected by their priority hazards. Chapter 4 of the Base Plan provides more detailed information about these hazards and their impacts on the Plumas County Planning Area. Methodologies for evaluating vulnerabilities and calculating loss estimates are the same as those described in Section 4.2 of the Base Plan.

Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability Assessment
Each hazard is profiled in the following format:
➢ Hazard Profile – A hazard profile is included for each hazard. This includes information on:
✓ Hazard Overview – A general discussion of the hazard and related issues is detailed here. ✓ Location and Extent – Location is the geographic area within the District that is affected by the hazard. Extent is the expected range of intensity for each hazard. These are discussed in specific detail for mapped hazards, and in more general detail for those hazards that do not have discrete mapped hazard areas.
✓ Past Occurrences – Past occurrences are discussed for each hazard. A discussion of disaster declarations is included in each hazard section. NCDC events are also discussed. Other past occurrences data specific to the District follow the disaster declarations and NCDC events for each hazard.
✓ Climate Change – This section contains the effects of climate change (as applicable). The possible influence of climate change on the hazard is discussed.

After the hazard profile, a vulnerability assessment is presented. As part of the vulnerability assessment, an estimate of the vulnerability of the District to each identified hazard, in addition to the estimate of risk of future occurrence, is provided in each of the hazard-specific sections. Vulnerability is measured in general, qualitative terms and is a summary of the potential impact based on past occurrences, spatial extent, and damage and casualty potential. It is categorized into the following classifications:
➢ Extremely Low—The occurrence and potential cost of damage to life and property is very minimal to nonexistent.
➢ Low—Minimal potential impact. The occurrence and potential cost of damage to life and property is minimal.
➢ Medium—Moderate potential impact. This ranking carries a moderate threat level to the general population and/or built environment. Here the potential damage is more isolated and less costly than a more widespread disaster.
➢ High—Widespread potential impact. This ranking carries a high threat to the general population and/or built environment. The potential for damage is widespread. Hazards in this category may have occurred in the past.
➢ Extremely High—Very widespread with catastrophic impact.

After this classification, a general discussion of hazard vulnerabilities occurs. This is done in the following format:

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-10
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Vulnerability Overview – A general discussion of the hazard vulnerability and related issues is detailed here.
➢ Local Concerns – This includes District provided information on how the District is uniquely affected by or vulnerable to each hazard.
➢ Assets at Risk – A discussion of the assets at risk follows, presented in the same order as in Section C.4.1 above, with a few exceptions. This includes sections on: People and Populations; Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure; and Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources. These are discussed in specific terms for mapped hazards, and in more general terms for those hazards that are unmapped. Sections on Community Lifelines and Economic Assets and Community Activities of Value are not included in the Sections below, as they are common to all jurisdictions and are fully covered in Section C.4.1 above and Chapter 4 of the Base Plan.
➢ Impacts – A discussion on hazard impacts follows. Impacts describe how each hazard can affect the District, its assets, and the ability to provide continued and reliable services. The type and severity of impacts reflect both the potential magnitude of the hazard and the vulnerability of the asset. ➢ Future Conditions/Future Development – A discussion of how future conditions and future development will affect or influence each hazard over time is also included. This considers both new District assets and improvements as well as any changes within their jurisdictional boundaries..

Power Interruption/Power Failure: A Common Vulnerability of all Hazards An impact of almost all hazards evaluated as part of this LHMP Update relates to power shortage and/or power failures. The US power grid crisscrosses the country, bringing electricity to homes, offices, factories, warehouses, farms, traffic lights and even campgrounds. According to statistics gathered by the U.S.

Department of Energy, major blackouts are on the upswing. Incredibly, over the past two decades, blackouts impacting at least 50,000 customers have increased 124 percent. The electric power industry does not have a universal agreement for classifying disruptions. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that different types of outages are possible so that plans may be made to handle them effectively. In addition to blackouts, brownouts can occur. A brownout is an intentional or unintentional drop in voltage in an electrical power supply system. Intentional brownouts are used for load reduction in an emergency.

Electric power disruptions can be generally grouped into two categories: intentional and unintentional.

More information on types of power disruptions can be found in Section 4.3 of the Base Plan.

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
An intentional disruption type of power shortage/failure event has been recently implemented in California as a result of wildfires starting as a result of downed power lines or electrical equipment. This was the case for the Camp Fire in 2018. As a result, California’s three largest energy companies (including PG&E), at the direction of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), are preparing all Californians for the threat of wildfires and power outages during times of extreme (fire) weather. To help protect customers and communities during extreme fire weather events, electric power may be shut off for public safety in an effort to proactively prevent wildfire. This is called a PSPS. More information on PSPS criteria can be found in Section 4.3 of the Base Plan.

In addition to PSPSs, to help prevent wildfires, electric utilities have begun to evolve safety efforts. This includes installing safety settings on powerlines in and around high fire-risk areas. These are known as Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), and they help prevent falling tree branches, animals and other

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-11
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
hazards from causing a wildfire. By stopping ignitions, it helps prevent wildfires from starting and spreading. According to PG&E, if ignitions occur, the size of fires can be much smaller due to EPSS. In 2022, there was a 99% decrease in acres impacted by ignitions (as measured by fire size from electric distribution equipment (compared to the 2018-2020 average). This decrease occurred despite dry conditions.

Local Concerns
The District has no specific concerns from PSPS events, as it owns no facilities that could be affected.

Local concerns of the District are similar to that of Plumas County as a whole. Those are found in Section

4.3 of the Base Plan.

Climate Change
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Climate change adaptation is a key priority of the State of California. The 2023 State of California MultiHazard Mitigation Plan noted that climate change is already affecting California. Sea levels have risen by as much as seven inches along the California coast over the last century, increasing erosion and pressure on the State’s infrastructure, water supplies, and natural resources. The State has also seen increased average temperatures, more extreme hot days, fewer cold nights, a lengthening of the growing season, shifts in the water cycle with less winter precipitation falling as snow, and earlier runoff of both snowmelt and rainwater in the year. In addition to changes in average temperatures, sea level, and precipitation patterns, the intensity of extreme weather events is also changing.

California’s Adaptation Planning Guide: Understanding Regional Characteristics (from 2017) has divided California into 11 different regions based on political boundaries, projected climate impacts, existing environmental setting, socioeconomic factors and regional designations. The District falls in the North Sierra Region. A map and climate projections for this region are shown in Section 4.3.7 of the Base Plan and include an increase in temperatures, moderate changes in rainfall, and increased risk to wildfire.

Location and Extent
Climate change is a global phenomenon. It is expected to affect the whole of the FRRCD, the Plumas County Planning Area, surrounding counties, and State of California. There is no scale to measure the extent of climate change. Climate change exacerbates other hazards, such as drought, extreme heat, flooding, wildfire, and others. The speed of onset of climate change is very slow. The duration of climate change is not yet known but is feared to be tens to hundreds of years.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-12
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
Climate change has never been directly linked to any declared disasters.

NCDC Events
NCDC does not track climate change events.

FRRCD Events
Climate change is well-understood to be already increasing the likelihood and frequency of many types of adverse events affecting the District. However, because climate change by its nature cannot be conclusively implicated in any single event, it has never been directly linked to a past event affecting the District.

Vulnerability to Climate Change
The whole of the District is at some measure of vulnerability to climate change. The District Planning Team has concerns that the vulnerability of the District to climate change will continue to increase in the future. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to climate change begins with an understanding of local exposure to climate change. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s assets at risk, and impacts to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

Climate change is thought to exacerbate other natural hazards, increasing the likelihood of natural disasters.

These disasters can have negative impacts on ecosystems, including changing vegetation type, introducing noxious weeds, increasing erosion and sedimentation, and reduced or altered wildlife habitat.

As one tangible impact from climate change, Plumas County is seeing more precipitation fall as rain and more rain-on-snow events, which results in shorter but stronger surges of runoff. Runoff surges can overwhelm culverts, erode hillsides (especially post-wildfire), and increase the amount of sediment that runs into streams, which in turn has a negative impact on fisheries and aquatic life. The District works on post-fire slope stabilization and meadow restoration projects, again to reduce sediment erosion into streams.

These events cause degradation to roads that are ingress and egress routes to many District project sites.

Another tangible impact from climate change affects reforestation. The precipitation Plumas County receives comes in more intense but more isolated bursts. This significantly shortens the available windows for tree planting and makes those time periods harder to predict, impacting the ability to reforest after highseverity wildfire. As a response to climate change, the District is changing and adapting its reforestation densities, species mixes, and the technical assistance it provides to forest landowners.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-13
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
A third tangible impact from climate change is the higher than average summer temperatures, leading to a reduction in fuel moisture and relative humidity. This increases fire severity risk, especially during afternoon lightning storms. The dry season is also made longer by a decrease in snow depth as length of time where snow is on the ground.

The impacts of climate change on Plumas County agriculture will be extremely various and diverse, some predictable and unpredictable, and many will be negative. The District will continue to partner with the USDA-NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) and other funding mechanisms to deliver climate change adaptation and mitigation project funding to local farmers and ranchers.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities and infrastructure; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
Climate change affects people and populations within a community, especially those climate change issues related to increases in temperature over time. While all populations (the seven District staff and those served by the District) can be affected by temperature extremes, populations particularly vulnerable include the very old and very young, medically fragile people, people without means of shelter (and air conditioning or heat) or transportation, people who are socially isolated and other vulnerable or underserved populations (as shown in the discussion in Section C.4.1). Acclimatization to extreme temperatures and other weather extremes may help reduce impacts from these extreme events, such as from heat waves, in the healthy general population but may not be sufficient to protect those with underlying medical conditions.

The District noted that the services provided are focused on helping landowners cultivate more climate resistant lands. While some of these landowners are more vulnerable to climate change, there’s no distinction between who is helped.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
The District owns no facilities, so there are no District structures or critical facilities at risk to this hazard.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
The rivers, streams, agricultural areas, and open space areas of the District support rich biodiversity, including many special-status species and habitat areas. These are all at risk from the effects of climate change. In addition, if heat continues to contribute to changes in wildfire patterns, all areas (on land) of the District are at increased risk from fire – including natural, historic, and cultural resources. Furthermore, as climate change exacerbates the extreme heat and drought hazard, areas of wetlands in the District may be reduced or dry up temporarily, which could damage habitat areas for waterfowl and other species that depend on these areas.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-14
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Impacts from Climate Change
The California APG: Understanding Regional Characteristics identified the following impacts specific to the North Sierra Region in which the District is part of:
➢ Increased temperatures
➢ Reduced precipitation
➢ Public health – heat and air pollution
➢ Reduced agricultural productivity (e.g., wine grapes) ➢ Reduced tourism
In addition to these sources, the 2023 State of California Hazard Mitigation Plan noted that according to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, the state will experience the following climate impacts:
➢ Annual average daily high temperatures are expected to rise by 2.7°F by 2040, 5.8°F by 2070, and

8.8°F by 2100 compared to observed and modeled historical conditions. These changes are statewide averages.
➢ Heat waves are projected to become longer, more intense, and more frequent. ➢ Warming temperatures are expected to increase soil moisture loss and lead to drier conditions. Summer dryness may become prolonged, with soil drying beginning earlier in the spring and lasting longer into the fall and winter.
➢ Droughts are likely to become more frequent and persistent through 2100. ➢ The strength of the most intense precipitation and storm events affecting California is expected to increase.
➢ Snowpack levels are projected to decline significantly by 2100 due to reduced snowfall and faster snowmelt.
➢ Marine layer clouds are projected to decrease.
➢ Extreme wildfires (i.e., fires larger than 24,710 acres) would occur 50 percent more frequently. The maximum area burned statewide may increase 178 percent by the end of the century.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile section above), changes in population patterns, and changes in land use and development. The influencing effects of these factors on this hazard are discussed further in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the District include the following:

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-15
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ As climate change continues to accelerate over time, climate related impacts to the District will continue to increase.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District show the population to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics will change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be small. The District noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.
➢ Changes in land use and development within District boundaries are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect climate change impacts to the District. The District noted that it has no control over land use and development within its jurisdictional boundaries. With limited future growth and development occurring, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.

Future Development
The District owns no property and has no plans to build facilities in the future. As such, the District does not have assets that would be at future risk to this hazard. Since the District shares the same boundaries as the unincorporated County, future conditions in the District regarding land use, migration, population changes, and climate change are the same as those in Section 4.3.7 of the Base Plan.

Flood: Localized Stormwater Flooding
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Flooding occurs in areas other than the FEMA mapped 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains. Flooding may be from drainages not studied by FEMA, lack of or inadequate drainage infrastructure, or inadequate maintenance. Localized, stormwater flooding occurs throughout the District and the Plumas County Planning Area, especially during the rainy season from November through April. Prolonged heavy rainfall (including that from atmospheric river events) contributes to a large volume of runoff resulting in high peak flows of moderate duration.

Location and Extent
The FRRCD is subject to localized flooding throughout the District. This is discussed below. Flood extents are usually measured in areas affected, velocity of flooding, and depths of flooding. Expected flood depths in the District vary by location. Flood durations in the District tend to be short to medium term, or until either the storm drainage system can catch up or flood waters move downstream. Localized flooding in the District tends to have a shorter speed of onset, especially when antecedent rainfall has soaked the ground and reduced its capacity to absorb additional moisture, or when rain-on-snow events rapidly release snowpack.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-16
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There have been no state or federal disaster declarations specific to localized floods. There would most likely have been localized flood events during the 22 state and 19 federal disaster declarations for flood events, including heavy rains and storms, as shown in the previous 1%/0.2% annual chance flood section.

Many of these would likely have affected the District.

NCDC Events
The NCDC occurrences of localized flooding are included in the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood hazard profile in the Base Plan where past flood events were noted. These include 15 flood related events for the entire County Planning Area reported since 1993, which includes the areas covered by the District.

FRRCD Events
Localized flooding the District responds to tends to be highly site-specific and occurs in different places each year. Fire, localized rainfall events, and clogged culverts are the drivers of this type of flooding and occur stochastically across the District. The District could not give specific instances or dates of localized flooding but it is an ongoing issue throughout the District and the Plumas County Planning Area.

Climate Change and Localized Flood
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts from localized floods. Atmospheric river events, occurring in recent years, is thought to be attributed to climate change and reflect storms of greater volume and intensity. More information on future impacts to the District can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Even if average annual rainfall may decrease slightly, the intensity of individual rainfall events is likely to increase during the 21st century, increasing the likelihood of overwhelming stormwater systems built to historical rainfall and storm averages. This makes localized flooding more likely.

Vulnerability to Localized Flood
Flood vulnerability and their impacts vary by location and severity of any given flood event and will likely only affect certain areas of the District during specific times. Based on the risk assessment, it is evident that floods will continue to have potentially significant impacts to certain areas of the District. However, while flooding can cause significant impacts, depending on the duration and volume of precipitation and the drainage in any given area, many of the floods in the District are minor, localized flood events that are more of a nuisance than a disaster.

Many areas of the District are at some measure of vulnerability to localized flooding. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to localized flooding begins with an understanding of local exposure to localized

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-17
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
flooding. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

Historically, the District has been affected by flooding of streams and creeks occurring during heavy rain and storms (including atmospheric river) events. Additional development in the District and in the watersheds of these streams affects both the frequency and duration of damaging floods through an increase in stormwater runoff and contributes to localized flooding occurring in areas throughout the District. The lack of or inadequate drainage infrastructure in the District contributes to localized flooding issues. The District is also concerned with rain on snow events, which can cause greater flooding in the District.

Flood events negatively affect District projects by causing damage to roads, which can in turn create safety hazards later in the season when roads that were previously accessible are no longer. This pertains to culverts, or armored crossings particularly of dirt or gravel roads. The District can support mitigation for this by identifying and repairing damages early season, before excessive use further deteriorates their condition.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All seven District staff and populations served (including vulnerable populations) are traditionally not highly vulnerable to localized flooding, but structures and contents can be at risk. Localized flooding may also cause transportation issues as roads and lanes are impacted or closed and affect the ability for District staff and District residents to travel throughout the District.

Farmers and landowners are specifically vulnerable to this hazard. The District noted that, although the services provided are not population specific, that they provide help to make lands more flood resilient.

These services are provided to both well-resourced as well as less prosperous landowners.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
The District owns no facilities, so there are no District structures or critical facilities at risk to this hazard.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural resource assets may have some vulnerabilities to localized flood during major storm events, but can benefit from floodwaters, often by design. Many open spaces take overflow water and release it into the underlying soils and natural areas. Wetlands areas in the District actually help reduce the risk of flooding,

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-18
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
as they can absorb excess rainfall that would have to be drained away from impervious surfaces. Flooding can provide many benefits to the natural environment, including recharging wetlands and groundwater, increasing fish production, creating wildlife habitat, and rejuvenating soil fertility. These smaller localized flooding events often provide more benefits to the environment in comparison to negative impacts associated with large flood events. Historic and cultural resources may be at some measure of vulnerability if they are located in areas subject to repeated localized flooding.

Impacts from Localized Flood
Primary concerns associated with stormwater flooding include impacts to infrastructure that provide a means of ingress and egress throughout the community. Ground saturation can result in instability, collapse, or other damage to trees, structures, roadways and other critical District infrastructure. Objects can also be buried or destroyed through sediment deposition. Floodwaters can break utility lines and interrupt services in the District. Standing water can cause damage to crops, roads, and foundations of buildings in the District. Other problems connected with flooding and stormwater runoff include erosion, sedimentation, degradation of water quality, losses of environmental resources, and certain health hazards.

Life safety issues from localized flooding would be more limited. The amount and type of damage or flooding that occurs varies from year to year and from storm to storm, depending on the quantity of precipitation and runoff.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the Likelihood of Future Occurrence discussion above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the FRRCD include the following:
➢ As discussed in the hazard profile section, climate change is anticipated to exacerbate this hazard over time.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District show the population to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics will change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be small. The District noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to localized flood is unlikely to change.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-19
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Changes in land use and development within District boundaries are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect climate change impacts to the District. The District noted that it has no control over land use and development within its jurisdictional boundaries. With limited future growth and development occurring, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.

Future Development
The District owns no property and has no plans to build facilities in the future. As such, the District’s does not have assets that would be at future risk to this hazard. Since the District shares the same boundaries as the unincorporated County, future conditions in the District regarding land use, migration, population changes, and climate change are the same as those in Section 4.3.12 of the Base Plan.

Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Like its earthquake‐generating faults, California’s mountainous terrain is a consequence of dynamic geologic processes in operation as the North American Plate grinds past the Pacific Plate. According to the CGS, a landslide is a general term for a variety of mass-movement processes that generate a down-slope movement of mud, soil, rock, and/or vegetation. Landslides are classified into many different types based on form and type of movement. They range from slow‐moving rotational slumps and earth flows, which can slowly distress structures but are less threatening to personal safety, to fast‐moving rock avalanches and debris flows that are a serious threat to structures and have been responsible for most fatalities during landslide events. For the purposes of this LHMP Update, the term landslide includes mudslides, debris flows, and rockfalls that tend to occur suddenly; as well as hillside erosion, which is a similar process that tends to occur on smaller scales and more gradually but can exacerbate landslide events.

Landslides, debris flows and mudslides are closely related to flooding, as both processes are related to precipitation, runoff, and the saturation of ground by water. In addition, landslides, mud flows, and debris flows can occur on small, steep stream channels and are often mistaken for floods. However, landslide events may be much more destructive than floods because of their higher densities, high debris loads, and high velocities.

Natural conditions that contribute to landslide, mudslides, debris flows, hillside and streambank erosion, include the following:
➢ Degree of slope
➢ Water (heavy rain, river flows, or wave action)
➢ Unconsolidated soil or soft rock and sediments
➢ Lack of vegetation (no stabilizing root structure)
➢ Previous wildfires and other forest disturbances (discussed in the Wildfire section below) ➢ Road building, excavation, and grading

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-20
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Earthquake
The 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan noted that more than one third of California is mountainous terrain that generally trends parallel to the coast, forming a barrier that captures moisture from offshore storms originating in the Gulf of Alaska and Mexico. Steep topography, weak rocks, heavy winter rains, and occasional earthquakes all lead to slope failures more frequently than would otherwise occur under gravity alone. This is true in the sloped areas in the County where the topography is characterized by rolling hills and ridges.

Location and Extent
Landslides can occur in areas with steep slopes and weak soils. It can also occur in areas where erosion has previously occurred. Both winter storms (precipitation-induced) and earthquake triggered landslides tend to occur in or near places that have experienced previous landslides. However, landslides may also occur in other locations over time. Landslides and debris flows may also occur in fire burn scar areas.

Figure C-2 shows the CGS areas at susceptible to deep-seated landslides. The legend on Figure C-2 shows the susceptibility scale (from 0-X with 0 being the least and X being the most susceptible) that the CGS uses to show the susceptibility of landslides. It is a primarily a combination of slope class and rock strength.

Geographic extents of these classes are shown on Table C-3. According to the 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, the susceptibility classes were further categorized into Very High (susceptibility class X) and High (susceptibility classes VII, VIII, & IX) for exposure analysis. The rest of the classes were not categorized.

CGS mapping indicates that portions of the District and surrounding area are at high to very high susceptibility areas for landslides. This can be seen in the darker orange and red colors. The speed of onset of landslide is often short, especially in past landslide areas as well as in post-wildfire burn scar areas, but it can also take years for a slope to fail. Landslide duration is usually short, though digging out and repairing landslide areas can take some time.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-21
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure C-2 FRRCD – Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslides Table C-3 FRRCD – Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslide Geographical Extents by Class Susceptibility
to DeepSeated
Landslide
Class
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
0 292,016 20% 23,927 52% 268,089 19%
III 120,829 8% 2,198 5% 118,631 9%
V 193,532 13% 3,819 8% 189,712 14%
VI 121,890 8% 1,791 4% 120,099 9%
VII 249,182 17% 8,938 19% 240,245 17%
VIII 237,866 17% 1,858 4% 236,008 17%
IX 196,247 14% 2,499 5% 193,748 14%
X 24,605 2% 1,353 3% 23,252 2%
Grand Total 1,436,167 100% 46,384 100% 1,389,783 100%
Source: CGS

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-22
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declarations
There have been no disaster declarations associated with just landslides in Plumas County; however, as shown in Table C-4, there have been 9 state and 10 federal disaster declarations for flood (including heavy rains and storms) which included landslides as a component.

Table C-4 Plumas County – Federal and State Disaster Declarations Summary 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Flood (events that
included landslide)
9 1995 (twice), 2006 (twice), 2017
(twice), 2019, 2023 (twice)
10 1995 (twice), 2006 (twice), 2017
(twice), 2019, 2023 (three)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA. Retrieved March 2025.

NCDC Events
The NCDC contains 21 records for landslides or debris flows in Plumas County since 1993.

FRRCD Past Occurrences
The District noted that its past occurrences are the same as the County’s, which were discussed in Section

4.3.13 of the Base Plan.

Climate Change and Landslide and Debris Flows
According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), climate change may result in precipitation extremes (i.e., wetter wet periods and drier dry periods). More information on precipitation increases can be found in Section 4.3.4 of the Base Plan. While total average annual rainfall may decrease only slightly, rainfall is predicted to occur in fewer, more intense precipitation events. The combination of a generally drier climate in the future, which will increase the chance of drought and wildfires, and the occasional extreme downpour is likely to cause more mudslides, landslides, and debris flows.

Vulnerability from Landslide
Portions of the District are at some measure of vulnerability to landslide. This is true when atmospheric rivers or heavy rain and storm events occur. Post wildfire areas are also more prone to landslide events.

An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to landslide begins with an understanding of local exposure to landslide. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-23
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
The District noted a concern that landslides can have negative impacts on ecosystems, including changing vegetation type, introducing noxious weeds, increasing sedimentation, and reduced or altered wildlife habitat. The District is suited to support prevention of this hazard by undertaking revegetation projects that support slope stabilization.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All populations (both District staff and District residents) located within areas of landslide susceptibility, especially in the High to Very High hazard areas (i.e., Classes VII to X) are at some vulnerability to landslide. Most vulnerable are those people working or residing in these landslide potential areas as well as those that might reside or work within the landslide run out areas. People residing in the District boundaries as well as District staff may also be cut off from transportation routes if roads and streets providing a means of ingress and egress are impacted. Certain vulnerable populations may be at greater risk due to the often sudden onset of a landslide event and include: the unsheltered, those with limited mobility, and those that lack the resources to leave the area.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
The District owns no facilities, so there are no District structures or critical facilities at risk to this hazard.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Landslides can affect natural, historic, and cultural resources that lie in the landslide area, or the landslide run out area. Landslides can destroy large tracts of forest and open space areas, destroy wildlife habitat, and remove productive soils and vegetation from slopes. It can also fill in waterways, impact water quality, and potentially affect flooding potential. Natural resources that fall in the High or Very High susceptibility areas shown on Figure C-2 would be most vulnerable, as well as those in the run-out areas.

Impacts from Landslide
Any type of landslide may result in damages or complete destruction of buildings in their path, as well as deaths and injuries. Landslides can cause road blockages by depositing debris on road surfaces or road damage if the road surface itself slides downhill. Utility lines and pipes are also prone to breakage in slide areas. Large landslides can collapse into water bodies, causing seiches. Landslides can relocate river channels. Landslides and debris flows can also impact water quality and the storage capacity of surface water reservoirs used to store potable water.

Landslides, debris flows, and mud flows impacts vary by location and severity of any given event and will likely only affect certain areas of the District susceptible to landslide. Based on the risk assessment, there is potential for significant landslides to occur in the District. Most, but not all, of the historic landslides in

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-24
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
the District have been minor, localized events that are more of a nuisance than a disaster. Impacts that are not quantified, but can be anticipated in large future events, include:
➢ Injury and loss of life;
➢ Disruption of and damage to public infrastructure, utilities, and services; ➢ Damage to roads/bridges resulting in loss of mobility; and ➢ Significant economic impact (jobs, sales, tax revenue) to the community.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the District include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future landslide, mudslide, and debris flow conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the District to landslide. ➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District show the population to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics will change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be small. The District noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.
➢ Changes in land use and development within District boundaries are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect climate change impacts to the District. Building that occurs in the VI or higher deep seated landslide classes may increase risk to additional lands. County building codes are in effect to reduce this risk and should be updated as necessary to continue to address future landslide or erosion conditions. The District noted that it has no control over land use and development within its jurisdictional boundaries. With limited future growth and development occurring, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.

Future Development
The District owns no property and has no plans to build facilities in the future. As such, the does not have assets that would be at future risk to this hazard. Since the District shares the same boundaries as the unincorporated County, future conditions in the District regarding land use, migration, population changes, and climate change are the same as those in Section 4.3.14 of the Base Plan.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-25
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Wildfire (with smoke and air quality)
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Extremely High
Hazard Profile
Wildland fire and the risk of a conflagration is an ongoing concern for the FRRCD. Throughout California, communities are increasingly concerned about wildfire safety as increased development in the foothills and mountainous areas and subsequent fire control practices have affected the natural cycle of fire regimes.

Wildland fires affect grass, forest, and brushlands, as well as structures. Where there is human access to wildland areas, the risk of fire increases due to a greater chance for human carelessness and historical fire management practices. Historically, the fire season extends from early spring through late fall of each year during the hotter, dryer months; however, in recent years, the risk of wildfire has become a year around concern.

Fire conditions arise from a combination of high temperatures, low moisture content in the air and fuel, accumulation of vegetation, and high winds. These weather conditions can result in red flag (e.g., fire weather) days, and can result in PSPS events in the District. While wildfire risk has predominantly been associated with more remote forested areas and wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, significant wildfires also occur in more populated developed areas. There is also the concern of wildfires occurring in these more remote, forested areas, that under certain weather conditions, can extend into areas not generally considered at a high risk to wildfire. Smoke and air quality also become an issue, both from fires occurring inside and outside of the Plumas County Planning Area and the District.

Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality
Smoke from wildfires is made up of gas and particulate matter, which can be easily observed in the air. Air quality standards have been established to protect human health with the pollutant referred to as PM2.5 which consists of particles 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These smaller sizes of particles are responsible for adverse health effects because of their ability to reach the lower regions of the respiratory tract.

Wildfire smoke can have negative effects to those who live in or near a fire burn area. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Significant wildfires occurring in both Plumas County, nearby northern California communities, and elsewhere have created significant air pollution affecting area residents. This was the case during the 2021 Caldor Fire, as well as others that affected the Plumas County Planning Area.

Location and Extent
Wildfire can affect all areas of the District. CAL FIRE through recent mapping efforts has created updated wildfire maps showing risk variance across the District and the Plumas County Planning Area. Following the methodology described in Section 4.3.16 of the Base Plan, wildfire maps for the FRRCD were created.

Figure C-3 shows the CAL FIRE State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Federal Responsibility Areas (FRA) and their associated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in the District. Figure C-4 shows the CAL FIRE

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-26
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) and their associated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in the District.

As shown on the maps, FHSZs within the District range from Non-Wildland/Non-Urban to Very High.

Figure C-3 FRRCD – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-27
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure C-4 FRRCD – CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones Wildfires tend to be measured in structure damages, injuries, and loss of life as well as on acres burned.

Fires can have a quick speed of onset, especially during periods of drought or during hot dry summer months. Fires can burn for a short period of time or may have durations lasting for a week or more.

Geographical FHSZ extents in the SRA/FRA are shown in Table C-5, while extents in the LRA are shown on Table C-6.

Table C-5 FRRCD – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Geographical Extents Fire Hazard
Severity
Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Very High 1,344,176 92.3% 35,015 75.5% 1,309,161 92.8%
High 72,737 5.0% 8,079 17.4% 64,658 4.6%
Moderate 27,825 1.9% 145 0.3% 27,680 2.0%
NonWildland/NonUrban6,838 0.5% 0.01 0.00003% 6,838 0.5%

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-28
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Fire Hazard
Severity
Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Outside of
Federal / State
Responsibility
Area
5,197 0.4% 3,151 6.8% 2,046 0.1%
Grand Total 1,456,773 100.0% 46,390 100.0% 1,410,383 100.0% Source: CAL FIRE
Table C-6 FRRCD – CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Geographical Extents Fire Hazard
Severity
Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Very High 4,479 0.3% 2,683 5.8% 1,796 0.1%
High 563 0.04% 389 0.8% 175 0.01%
Moderate 107 0.01% 54 0.1% 53 0.004%
Non-Wildland 51 0.004% 29 0.1% 23 0.002%
Outside of
Local
Responsibility
Area
1,451,047 99.6% 43,235 93.2% 1,407,812 99.9%
Grand Total 1,456,248 100.0% 46,389 100.0% 1,409,859 100.0% Source: CAL FIRE
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There has been eight state and six federal disaster declarations due to fire, as shown in Table C-7.

Table C-7 Plumas County – State and Federal Wildfire Disaster Declarations 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Fire 8 1960 (unnamed), 1987(Clarks
Fire), 1999 (Bucks Fire), 2020
(twice – Bear Fire, North
Complex Fire), 2021 (three –
Dixie Fire, Monument Fire,
Lava Fire/Beckwourth
Complex)
6 1999 (Bucks Fire), 2008 (BTU
Lightning Complex), 2020
(twice – Bear Fire, North
Complex Fire), 2021 (twice –
Dixie Fire, Lava
Fire/Beckwourth Complex)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
The NCDC has tracked 15 wildfire events in the County dating back to 1993. Many more fires have occurred, but were not reported to the NCDC database.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-29
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
FRRCD Events
The wildfire events affecting the District are the same as those affecting the County Planning Area as a whole. These were discussed in Section 4.3.15 of the Base Plan.

Climate Change and Wildfire
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts from wildfire. More information on future impacts to the District can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Warmer temperatures can exacerbate drought conditions. Drought often kills plants and trees, which serve as fuel for wildfires. Warmer temperatures could increase the number of wildfires and pest outbreaks, such as the western pine beetle. Cal-Adapt’s wildfire tool predicts the potential increase in the amount of burned areas for the year 2090-2099, as compared to recent (2010) conditions. This is shown in Section 4.3.16 of the Base Plan. Based on this model, Cal-Adapt predicts that wildfire risk in Plumas County will increase moderately at the end of the century. However, wildfire models can vary depending on the parameters used. Cal-Adapt does not take landscape and fuel sources into account in their model. In all likelihood, in the Plumas County Planning Area, precipitation patterns, high levels of heat, topography, and fuel load will determine the frequency and intensity of future wildfire.

Vulnerability to Wildfire
Risk and vulnerability to the District from wildfire is of significant concern. Wildfires that occur in the District occur from a variety of both natural and manmade causes. The District can be affected both by fires that start on or near District lands as well as those that start elsewhere and move into the District. In addition to burning large areas of land, air quality can be affected in the District by smoke from fires occurring inside the District as well as those from many miles away.

The whole of the District is at some measure of vulnerability to wildfire. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to wildfire begins with an understanding of local exposure to wildfire. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

The District noted that wildfire has affected approximately 60% of Plumas County since 2019. It has caused catastrophic loss of property, loss of tourism, and agricultural damage. Wildfire has resulted in mandatory evacuations, loss of property, loss of infrastructure, and displaced communities.

The 2023 Plumas County Fuels Treatment Project Report noted that 150+ years of fire suppression, overstocking timber stands, and fire suppression have resulted in forest conditions across California with high levels of surface and ladder fuels. In Plumas County, the consequences of these conditions are readily

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-30
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
apparent in recent fire history. Wildfires since 2000 have burned 76% of Plumas county (1,284,129.9 acres).

Since 2017, about 60% (1,010,340 acres) of Plumas County have burned in wildfires. The three most recent fires (2021 Dixie Fire, 2021 Beckwourth Complex, and the 2020 North Complex fire) burned 55% of Plumas County (932,362 acres). Plumas County is a mosaic of high severity-burn areas, shrub dominant regeneration areas, unburned areas with high fuel loads, private industrial timberland, and Plumas National Forest fuels reduction projects. Many unburned areas are still vulnerable, and planning efforts struggle to keep pace with environmental conditions. Further, the FRRCD planning team noted that wildfire has caused catastrophic loss of property, loss of tourism, and agricultural damage. Wildfire has resulted in mandatory evacuations, loss of property, loss of infrastructure, and displaced communities.

Insects, drought, and disease can affect trees in isolated stands or in residential areas. Early identification of these can improve safely removing these trees before they cause a hazard. Often trees in residential areas are costly to remove. Early identification and financial support would improve community response and reduce the risk of limbs or entire trees falling naturally and causing damage.

Finally, the realities of climate change have exacerbated the wildfire season in both duration and severity.

Increasing average temperatures and an abundance of fuels have rendered California extremely vulnerable to wildfire threat.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations served; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All populations (both District staff and those who reside in the District) are at some vulnerability to wildfire.

Certain vulnerable populations are at greater risk to the effects of wildfire as well as smoke and air quality issues that wildfires bring. Vulnerable populations include the unhoused , infants and children under age five and their caregivers, the elderly (65 and older), individuals with disabilities, individuals’ dependent on medical equipment, individuals who exercise, recreate, or work (like District staff) outdoors, and individuals with impaired mobility.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
The District owns no facilities, so there are no District structures or critical facilities at risk to this hazard.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural, historic, and cultural resources located within areas at risk to wildfire would be vulnerable. Should a wildfire occur in the District, the impacts to natural, historic and cultural resources could be extensive and include air pollution, contamination from water runoff containing toxic products, other environmental discharges or releases from burned materials affecting soils, habitat areas, wildlife, and aquatic resources, and total destruction of natural resources. Debris and runoff from burned areas can affect reservoirs and rivers in the District. Historic and cultural resources can be damaged or destroyed and are often more

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-31
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
vulnerable due to their older age, construction type, and lack of fire prevention infrastructure such as sprinklers.

Impacts from Wildfire
Potential impacts from wildfire include loss of life and injuries; damage to structures, critical facilities and infrastructure, and other improvements, natural and cultural resources, croplands, and timber; and loss of recreational opportunities. Out of control wildfires can have catastrophic impacts. Wildfires can cause short-term and long-term disruption to the District. Fires can have devastating effects on watersheds through loss of vegetation and soil erosion, which may impact the District by changing runoff patterns, increasing sedimentation, reducing natural and reservoir water storage capacity, and degrading water quality. Fires can also affect air quality in the District; smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Smoke impacts may come from wildfires outside the District, as well as from within.

Although the physical damages and casualties arising from wildland-urban interface or conflagration fires may be severe, it is important to recognize that they also cause significant economic impacts by resulting in a loss of function of buildings and infrastructure. Economic impacts of loss of transportation and utility services may include traffic delays/detours from road and bridge closures and loss of electric power, potable water, and wastewater services. Schools and businesses can be forced to close for extended periods of time.

Recently, the threat of wildfire, combined with the potential for high winds, heat, and low humidity, has caused PG&E, Plumas Sierra REC, or Liberty Utilities to initiate a PSPS which can also significantly impact a community through loss of services, business closures, and other impacts associated with loss of power for an extended period. In addition, catastrophic wildfire can create favorable conditions for other hazards such as flooding, landslides, and erosion during the rainy season.

The impacts of a fire are felt long after the fire is extinguished. In addition to the loss of property in fires, the loss in vegetation and changes in surface soils alters the environment. When supporting vegetation is burned, hillsides become destabilized and prone to erosion. The burnt surface soils are harder and absorb less water. When winter rains come, this leads to increased runoff, erosion, and landslides in hilly areas.

Wildfire smoke can also have negative effects to those who live in or near a fire burn area. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Significant wildfires occurring in nearby northern California communities since the previous LHMP have created significant air pollution affecting area residents. District residents have been affected by wildfire smoke and poor air quality, from fires both within the County and from those much further away.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-32
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the FRRCD include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future wildfire conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the District to wildfire.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District show the population to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics will change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be small. The District noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.
➢ Changes in land use and development within District boundaries are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect climate change impacts to the District. Changes in land use and development in the District are expected to be limited in the near future and thus would have possible associated wildfire impacts to the District. Adherence to protective building codes for new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the District to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal. The District noted that it has no control over land use and development within its jurisdictional boundaries. With limited future growth and development occurring, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change
Future Development
The District owns no property and has no plans to build facilities in the future. As such, the District does not have assets that would be’ be at future risk to this hazard. Since the District shares the same boundaries as the unincorporated County, future conditions in the District regarding land use, migration, population changes, and climate change are the same as those in Section 4.3.15 of the Base Plan.

C.5 Capability Assessment
Capabilities are the programs and policies currently in use to reduce hazard impacts or that could be used to implement hazard mitigation activities. This capabilities assessment is divided into five sections:
regulatory mitigation capabilities, administrative and technical mitigation capabilities, fiscal mitigation capabilities, mitigation education, outreach, and partnerships, and other mitigation efforts.

C.5.1. Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Table C-8 lists regulatory mitigation capabilities, including planning and land management tools, typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities and indicates those that are in place in the FRRCD.

Note: The District does not have the authority to regulate land use and development within its jurisdiction.

Authority for promulgating and enforcing zoning, land use, and development requirements falls to counties

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-33
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
and incorporated communities. As such development within the District’s jurisdictional boundaries will conform to the zoning and land use development ordinances and building codes of the county or incorporated community in which the District is located.

Table C-8 FRRCD’s Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Plans
In Place
Y/N
Does the plan address hazards? Can the plan be used to
carry out mitigation actions? When was it last updated?? Capital Improvements Plan N/A
Climate Change Adaptation Plan N/A
Community Wildfire Protection Plan Y Potential or in progress projects that address wildfire risk Comprehensive/Master Plan N/A
Continuity of Operations Plan N/A
Economic Development Plan N/A
Land Use Plan N/A
Local Emergency Operations Plan N/A
Stormwater Management Plan N/A
Transportation Plan N/A
Other Y Regional Wildfire Priority Plan – Ranked projects for fuels reduction/ wildfire risk reduction
Land Use Planning and Ordinances Y/N
Is the ordinance an effective way to reduce hazard
impacts?
Is the ordinance adequately administered and enforced?
Acquisition of land for open space and
public recreation use
N/A
Building code N/A
Flood insurance rate maps N/A
Floodplain ordinance N/A
Natural hazard-specific ordinance
(stormwater, steep slope, wildfire)
N/A
Subdivision ordinance N/A
Zoning ordinance N/A
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Feather River RCD is non-regulatory but does participate in land use planning in an advisory role. The District will continue to seek areas to assist the County to reduce risk.

Source: FRRCD

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-34
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
C.5.2. Administrative/Technical Mitigation Capabilities Table C-9 identifies the District department(s) responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in the FRRCD.

Table C-9 FRRCD’s Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities Administration
In
Place
Y/N
Describe capability
Is coordination effective?
Staff
Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations?
Is staff trained on hazards and mitigation?
Is coordination between agencies and staff effective?
Chief Building Official N/A
Civil Engineer, including dam and levee
safety
N/A
Community Planner N/A
Emergency Manager N/A
Floodplain Administrator N/A
GIS Coordinator N/A
Planning Commission N/A
Other Y District Manager and Operations Manager are trained in mitigation.

Technical Y/N
Has capability been used to assess/mitigate risk in the past?
Grant writing Y Yes. For planning and supporting mitigation projects Hazard data and information N
GIS analysis Y Yes. For wildfire risk reduction project planning Mutual aid agreements N
Other Y Project Coordinator/ Resource Specialist/ Registered Professional Foresters
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Feather River RCD staff salaries rely on grants and fee for service work. Staffing levels depend on current and predicted projects and workload. Long term funding or programs enable District to employ longer term, regular staff Source: FRRCD
C.5.3. Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
Table C-10 identifies financial tools or resources that the District could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities.

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-35
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table C-10 FRRCD’s Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
Funding Resource
In Place
Y/N
Has the funding resource been used in past
and for what type of activities?
Could the resource be used to fund future
mitigation actions?
Capital improvements project funding N
Community Development Block Grant N
Federal funding programs (non-FEMA) Y USDA funding has been used for resource conservation projects
Fees for water, sewer N
Capacity fees for new development N
State funding programs Y Funding from CalFire, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, CDFW, CalTrans, and Wildlife
Conservation Board have been used for
resource conservation projects
Stormwater utility fee N/A
Other Y District offers limited fee for service programs including environmental compliance (CEQA),
grant writing, and manual labor for
conservation projects
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? District can leverage existing funds as match for larger, landscape, or county level risk reduction projects.

District can act in a grant administration, fiscal management role for other departments or entities.

Source: FRRCD
C.5.4. Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Table C-11 identifies education and outreach programs and methods already in place that could be/or are used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information.

Table C-11 FRRCD’s Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Program/Organization
In Place
Y/N
How widespread are each of these in your
community?
Community newsletters N
Hazard awareness campaigns (such as Firewise,
Storm Ready, Severe Weather Awareness Week,
school programs, public events)
Y Feather River Stewardship Coalition. Forest
Collaborative group created to further
implementation of projects in the region
Local news Y Public meetings for regular board actions
Organizations that interact with underserved and
vulnerable communities
N
Social media N

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-36
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Program/Organization
In Place
Y/N
How widespread are each of these in your
community?
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? District can expand staffing as appropriate based on funding and community need. Expand Regular trainings, workshops, and email notifications
Source: FRRCD
C.5.5. Other Mitigation Efforts
The District has many other completed or ongoing mitigation projects/efforts that include the following:

The 2023 Plumas County Fuels Treatment Project Report noted multiple fuels treatment projects in the County. This can be seen on Figure C-5. It also details fuels reduction projects by community. More detail can be found in the Project Report, but a list of communities seeing projects can be found on Figure C-6.

Figure C-5 Plumas National Forest Proposed Fuel Treatment Projects Source: 2023 Plumas County Fuels Treatment Project Report

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-37
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure C-6 Fuels Reduction Efforts in Communities
Other activities include:
➢ Mohawk Valley Fuels Reduction Project- 772 acres of hand thinning, piling and burning on private and Plumas National Forest near the communities of Plumas Pines, Johnsville, Mohawk Vista, and Blairsden. Implemented between 2021- 2024
➢ Moonlight and Walker Fire Restoration- Approximately 4,100 acres of fuels reduction and reforestation on Plumas National Forest lands. Implemented between 2019- 2025 ➢ Plumas Eureka Hand Thin- Approximately 50 acres of hand thinning and pile burning in Plumas Eureka State Park – 2023- Present
➢ Plumas Emergency Forest Restoration- Program based fire restoration program implementing dead tree removal and reforestation completed on over 4,500 acres of private non-industrial forests between 2022- 2025. Program will continue pending funding availability. ➢ Plumas Underburn Cooperative (ongoing program)- Support for volunteer based program addressing fuels reduction on small parcel private lands. FRRCD provides manual labor, tools and technical assistance to assist private landowners with reducing fuels and implementing prescribed fire. ➢ Minerva Reforestation Project- 92 acres of site preparation (brush removal and burning) and reforestation on Plumas National Forest Lands

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-38
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Industrial Timberlands Reforestation Programs- CA grant funded programs which provide financial support for industrial timberland owners and managers to conduct site preparation and reforestation on lands managed for timber production.
➢ North Quincy Wildfire Resiliency Project- 9,000 acre planning project. Implementation of mastication, hand thinning, and prescribed fire beginning in 2024.

C.6 Mitigation Strategy
C.6.1. Mitigation Goals and Objectives
The FRRCD adopts the hazard mitigation goals and objectives developed by the HMPC and described in Chapter 5 Mitigation Strategy.

C.6.2. NFIP Mitigation Strategy
The District does not participate in the NFIP, as it is not an eligible participant. Many of the District’s projects work to reduce impacts from flooding thus furthering the objectives of the NFIP.

C.6.3. Mitigation Actions
The Planning Team for the FRRCD identified and prioritized the following mitigation actions based on the risk assessment. Background information and information on how each action will be implemented and administered, such as ideas for implementation, responsible office, potential funding, , and timeline are also included. The following hazards were considered a priority for purposes of mitigation action planning based on criteria detailed in Chapter 5:
➢ Climate Change
➢ Floods: Localized Stormwater
➢ Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow
➢ Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality)
Non-priority hazards for mitigation planning include:
➢ Agricultural Hazards (Severe Weather/Pests/Invasive Species) ➢ Dam Failure
➢ Drought & Water shortage (w/tree mortality)
➢ Earthquake
➢ Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/levee failure)
➢ Hazardous Materials Transport
➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) ➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Heat
➢ Severe Weather: Heavy Rain and Storms (Wind, Hail, Lightning) ➢ Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornado
➢ Volcano

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-39
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
It should be noted that many of the projects submitted by each jurisdiction in Table 5-4 in the Base Plan benefit all jurisdictions whether or not they are the lead agency. Further, many of these mitigation efforts are collaborative efforts among multiple local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, the countywide public outreach action, as well as many of the emergency services actions, apply to all hazards and jurisdictions regardless of hazard priority. Collectively, this LHMP’s multi-jurisdictional mitigation strategy includes only those actions and projects which reflect the actual priorities and capacity of each jurisdiction to implement over the next 5-years covered by this plan. It should further be noted, that each jurisdiction has focused on identifying those mitigation actions and projects to address their priority hazards, which are both realistic and reasonable for them to implement for this 5-year planning process, and would like to preserve their right to modify hazard priorities should future projects be identified where the implementing jurisdiction has the future capacity to implement.

Mitigation Actions
Action 1. Ecological Restoration
Hazards Addressed: Multi Hazard – Climate Change, Floods: Localized Stormwater, Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow, and Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Disaster can have negative impacts on ecosystems, including changing vegetation type, introducing noxious weeds, increasing erosion and sedimentation, and reduced or altered wildlife habitat.

Project Description: This project would make efforts to restore ecosystems to pre-disaster conditions or similar attainable conditions. Actions could include reforestation, revegetation, streambank stabilization, noxious weed removal, herbicide applications, or dead tree removal.

Other Alternatives: None
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Plumas CWPP, Plumas Hazardous Fuels Assessment (2025), Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest Responsible Office/Partners: Feather River RCD General Manager in coordination with County, City, Plumas Firesafe Council, Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, Plumas Under burn Cooperative Benefits (Losses Avoided): Restores habitat and ecological functions following disasters or extreme weather events
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): CAL FIRE Grants, FEMA (HMGP) grants, RCD Operating Budget, volunteerism, other grants to be identified Timeline: 2026-2031
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-40
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Action 2. Plumas Public Emergency Outreach Program
Hazards Addressed: Multi Hazard – Climate Change, Floods: Localized Stormwater, Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow, and Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): A lack of public awareness of disaster preparation. Plumas county residents should be informed about preparations to make in advance of a disaster. Educational programs will encourage self sufficiency and reliance allowing responders more bandwidth to assist in an emergency.

Project Description: This project will offer workshops, training, and educational materials targeted towards citizens on topics that would help reduce damages caused by disasters.

Other Alternatives: Online resources. Educational videos Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Plumas VOAD, stakeholder groups, county agencies
Responsible Office/Partners: Feather River RCD General Manager in coordination with County, City, Plumas Firesafe Council, volunteer fire departments, University of California Cooperative Extension Benefits (Losses Avoided): Increases public self reliance, reduces burden on first responders Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): CAL FIRE Grants, FEMA (HMGP) grants, RCD Operating Budgets donations, other grants to be identified Timeline: 2026-2031
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 3. Fuels and Vegetation Management
Hazards Addressed: Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality)
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Plumas County is a high wildfire risk area. Management of flammable materials reduces the intensity of fires and therefore the potential damage.

Project Description: This project would implement actions to manage and reduce fuel (primarily vegetation) buildup in communities and surrounding ecosystems. Actions could include thinning with machinery or hand tools, prescribed fire, grazing, chipping or other fuel rearrangement, defensible space programs, and home hardening (replacing flammable materials with fire resistant ones).

Other Alternatives: None

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-41
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Plumas CWPP, Plumas Hazardous Fuels Assessment (2025), Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest Responsible Office/Partners: Feather River RCD General Manager in coordination with County, City, Plumas Firesafe Council, volunteer fire departments, Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, Plumas Under burn Cooperative
Benefits (Losses Avoided): Reduced damages from fire
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): CAL FIRE Grants, FEMA (HMGP) grants, RCD Operating Budget, volunteerism, other grants to be identified Timeline: 2026-2031
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 4. Plumas Backup Generator and Air Purifier Loan Program Hazards Addressed: Multi Hazard – Climate Change, Floods: Localized Stormwater, Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow, and Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Disasters causing loss of power. Wildfire smoke causing health impacts. Lack of tools to address this problem for vulnerable populations.

Project Description: This project would purchase generators and air purifiers that could be loaned to citizens or businesses during emergencies.

Other Alternatives: Outside agency resources
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Plumas VOAD, stakeholder groups, county agencies
Responsible Office/Partners: Feather River RCD General Manager in coordination with County, City, Plumas Firesafe Council, volunteer fire departments,
Benefits (Losses Avoided): Continuous electricity, reduced harm from smoke inhalation, Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA grants (HMA and others), state grants (CA DWR, CAL FIRE, Cal EPA, and others), RCD Operating Budget, donations Timeline: 2026-2031
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High

Plumas County FRRCD Annex C-42
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Action 5. Tree Mortality Tracking and Removal
Hazards Addressed: Multi Hazard – Climate Change and Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Insects, drought, and disease can affect trees in isolated stands or in residential areas. Early identification of these can improve safely removing these trees before they cause a hazard. Often trees in residential areas are costly to remove. Early identification and financial support would improve community response and reduce the risk of limbs or entire trees falling naturally and causing damage.

Project Description: This project would establish a tree mortality tracker, it would provide waivers or cost share to landowners to remove trees showing signs of disease or insect infestation. It would provide technical assistance in the form or consultations with ISA certified arborists and would provide services to remove trees.

Other Alternatives: Private insurance
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Plumas CWPP, Plumas Hazardous Fuels Assessment (2025), Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest.

Responsible Office/Partners: Feather River RCD General Manager in coordination with County, City, Plumas Firesafe Council, volunteer fire departments, Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, Plumas Under burn Cooperative.

Benefits (Losses Avoided): Unexpected or unplanned tree/ limb falling and causing damage, particularly during storm or wind events.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): Cal Fire Grants, FEMA (HMGP) grants, RCD Operating Budget, volunteerism, other grants to be identified Timeline: 2026-2031
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High.

Plumas County GMCSD Annex D-1
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Annex D Gold Mountain Community Services District
D.1 Introduction
This Annex details the hazard mitigation planning elements specific to the Gold Mountain Community Services District (GMCSD, CSD, or District), a new participating jurisdiction to the 2026 Plumas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Update. This Annex is not intended to be a standalone document but appends to and supplements the information contained in the Base Plan document. As such, all sections of the Base Plan, including the planning process and other procedural requirements apply to and were met by the District. This Annex provides information specific to the GMCSD, with a focus on providing additional details on the planning process, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy for this jurisdiction.

D.2 Planning Process
As described above, the GMCSD followed the planning process detailed in Chapter 3 of the Base Plan. In addition to providing representation on the Plumas County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC), the District formulated their own internal planning team to support the broader planning process requirements. Internal planning participants, their positions, and how they participated in the planning process are shown in Table D-1. Additional details on Plan participation and District representatives are included in Appendix A.

Table D-1 GMCSD – Planning Team
Name Position/Title How Participated
Kathy Kogge GM CSD Director Attended meetings, identified and developed data for inclusion in CSD Annex, developed mitigation actions in conjunction with other CSD staff, reviewed plan drafts
Skylar Allingham General Manager of
GM CSD
Hired and Worked with Shaw Engineering. Provided support to the CSD Annex development
Shaw Engineering Primary engineer Helped to identify requirements and updates needed for the District Annex
Source: GMCSD
D.3 District Profile
The community profile for the GMCSD is detailed in the following sections. Figure D-1 displays a District map and the location of GMCSD within Plumas County.