Santa Cruz County has earned statewide recognition through the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Risk Reduction Community List, a designation that could help qualifying homeowners receive wildfire insurance discounts while improving the county’s competitiveness for future wildfire prevention grants.
The designation was secured through the county’s Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience (OR3) and Community Development and Infrastructure Department. OR3 coordinates countywide wildfire resilience efforts with Cal Fire, local fire districts, Fire Safe Councils, the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, county departments and community organizations. The office also helps oversee the county’s Measure Q program, approved by voters in 2024 to support wildfire resilience.
“This recognition reflects years of work to make Santa Cruz County safer, better prepared and more competitive for wildfire prevention funding,” OR3 Director David Reid said. “Just as importantly, it may help qualifying homeowners seek wildfire insurance premium discounts at a time when insurance costs are a major concern for local families.”
County officials said the designation comes after years of recovery and wildfire preparedness following the 2020 CZU Fire, which destroyed homes, displaced residents and heightened concerns about wildfire risk. Since then, many homeowners have faced higher insurance premiums, policy non-renewals and increased reliance on the California FAIR Plan.
According to the county, the designation offers two primary benefits.
Qualifying property owners may be eligible for wildfire insurance discounts because California Department of Insurance regulations require insurers to consider Fire Risk Reduction Community status in their rating plans. Discount amounts vary by insurer and property, and homeowners are encouraged to contact their insurance provider to determine whether the designation applies to their policy.
The designation also strengthens the county’s position when applying for Cal Fire Wildfire Prevention Grants. Those grants support such projects as hazardous fuels reduction, fuel breaks, chipping programs, prescribed grazing, wildfire planning, risk mapping and public education. Under current guidelines, the priority applies when the county is the grant applicant.
County officials said the designation also supports the county’s broader wildfire resilience strategy, including future Measure Q investments and continued coordination of planning, data, community outreach and project development among local agencies and partners.
“Voters entrusted the County to leverage their tax dollars to bring more resources to the County to improve fire safety and make the community more resilient to climate change. This designation will help that vision become reality,” the county said in a news release.
Homeowners interested in pursuing potential insurance discounts should contact their insurance agent or provider to ask whether Santa Cruz County’s Fire Risk Reduction Community designation applies to their policy.
More information about the California Fire Risk Reduction Community List is available at bof.fire.ca.gov/projects-and-programs/fire-risk-reduction-community-list.
