Lee County has selected SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) to help with the development of the county’s first Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
Home to more than 800,000 residents, Lee County, Florida, is taking the next step to better prepare for and reduce the risk of wildfire in their community.
A CWPP examines the risk of wildfire at a community-wide level and defines actionable guidance for wildfire response, mitigation and preparedness activities.
Victoria Amato, Principal Planner of Fire and Forestry at SWCA said: “Due to warmer, drier weather conditions, the increase of wildfire risk across the country is encouraging more communities that you wouldn’t expect to focus on wildfire planning.”
Wildfire is a considerable hazard in Southwest Florida. Historically, Lee County has experienced an increased risk of wildfire following hurricanes.
For example, downed trees from Hurricane Charley in 2004 provided fuel for the 2006 Caloosahatchee Fire Complex, which led to more than $2 million in fire protection costs and damage to public facilities, burned more than 2,000 acres, and destroyed 15 homes.
Lee County’s CWPP will enhance the county’s ability to prevent and respond to wildfires, while also enabling a pathway to additional funding for these activities.
Arianna Porter, Project Manager at SWCA commented: “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Lee County to help them with wildfire planning and resilience.
At SWCA, we take a people-first approach to facilitate collaboration and incorporate the values of the community into their plan.”
Lee Country in Florida has chosen SWCA to create the county’s first Community Wildfire Protection Plan, taking the next steps to reduce the risk of wildfire in the community.
Arianna Porter, Project Manager at SWCA said collaborating with Lee County involves incorporating the values of the community into their individual plan.
