Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)

Reducing Wildfire Risk and Strengthening Community Adaptation around Maricao State Forest

The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a strategic initiative led by CRCD in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service to reduce wildfire risk and strengthen the adaptive capacity of the communities surrounding Maricao State Forest.

Developed through a participatory approach, this project combines technical expertise with local knowledge to safeguard people, property, and the region’s natural and cultural resources.

What is a CWPP?

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a tool that identifies risks, recommends mitigation measures, and fosters community collaboration to protect neighborhoods from wildfires. It is developed with the active participation of residents, community leaders, land stewards, firefighters, government agencies, and other stakeholders, ensuring that solutions are inclusive and sustainable.

Project Objective

To develop a comprehensive five-year plan that will:

• Identify priority treatment areas for landscape restoration.
• Reduce the flammability of structures and surrounding environments.
• Establish key resources for effective wildfire management.

This bilingual (English–Spanish) approach aims to strengthen prevention, response, and mitigation efforts in the Guánica–Maricao priority landscape, while promoting fire-adapted communities.

Main Goals

1. Understand the risks, challenges, and opportunities related to wildfires in both the communities and the forest.
2. Strengthen collaboration between agencies and community leaders to promote prevention and response actions.
3. Significantly reduce wildfire risk through concrete measures.

Community Impact

The CWPP not only protects the natural environment but also strengthens local communities by:

• Delivering a 10-year strategic implementation plan to address long-term challenges.
• Linking government agencies and local leaders in a coordinated effort.
• Incorporating the perspectives of surrounding communities to encourage their participation and visibility.
• Providing community training sessions led by experts such as firefighters to enhance emergency preparedness.
• Building a more informed and prepared population to face wildfire risks.

CWPP Development Process

The CWPP follows a methodical and participatory process that includes:

1. Identifying stakeholders.
2. Assessing hazards and risks.
3. Hosting public forums to gather community input.
4. Developing a detailed action plan.
5. Evaluating and reviewing proposed actions.
6. Preparing a draft CWPP.
7. Validating the plan through public consultation.
8. Approving and publishing the final CWPP.

The CWPP represents a commitment to safer, fire-resilient communities and a protected environment—uniting efforts to ensure a sustainable future.

Discover more about this initiative and be part of the change!