Wildfires are on the rise. The California state government’s 4th Climate Change Assessment predicts wildfire frequency could increase 50% by 2100 and insurance costs are expected to rise precipitously. California must respond aggressively to mitigate this existential risk. Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced a $75 million program for local governments to deal with PSPSs and the legislature has included this money in the 2019 state budget to assist communities that face the greatest danger.

Cities and counties must protect their citizens and plan how best to acquire and allocate funds – already this fire season has seen an uptick, as the Getty, Kincade, and Tick fires have burned and multiple wide-scale power outages have already occurred. More than 4,870 wildfires have burned nearly 47,000 acres in California this year. It is now more important than ever for communities to coordinate with police, water, fire, public health, electric utility, and other local, state, and federal agencies.

Attend this meeting to learn best practices in responding to the risk of wildfires. Cities will ascertain how to work aggressively and proactively on plans to mitigate avoidable risk, coordinate with many public agencies, and make strategic investments for your community to provide essential services, protecting the life and property of your citizens. Gain expert advice on developing community wildfire protection plans, engaging and educating residents, and hardening existing resources.

Protecting Your City from Wildfire: Planning, Coordinating and Investing for Civic Resilience will gather city leaders, county officials, state and federal agencies, first responders, forestry associations, electric and water utilities, equipment vendors, insurers, academics, and more to discuss how California can create resilient communities and leverage existing opportunities to protect their residents against wildfires. Presentations and panels will include discussions on financing microgrids, updates on regulatory changes impacting prevention planning, leveraging building codes, dealing with PSPSs, and insuring wildfire prone communities.