THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) has been awarded a renewed Fire Risk Reduction Community recognition from the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
This designation recognizes best practices in fire risk planning and mitigation, and VCFD was one of more than 50 agencies, counties, and cities across California to receive this status. VCFD was previously recognized as a Fire Risk Reduction Community in 2024, and the designation will last another 2 years.
Insurance companies factor the Fire Risk Reduction Community designation into their rate-setting, and maintaining this designation is important in helping minimize insurance costs for property owners. It also gives VCFD priority consideration for grants that fund wildfire risk mitigation projects and other community preparedness activities. The Fire Risk Reduction Community status applies to all properties within VCFD’s jurisdiction, which includes all of Ventura County except the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, and Fillmore.
“The threat of wildfire in Ventura County is always present,” said Assistant Fire Marshal Mike Worford. “We work year-round in multiple ways to help our residents and businesses reduce their fire risk and be wildfire resilient. This designation continues an important partnership in wildfire safety for Ventura County.”
The designation is one of two community-level fire mitigation measures that insurance companies must consider when establishing rates. The other is recognition as a Firewise USA Community through the National Fire Protection Association. Currently, there are 53 recognized Firewise communities in Ventura County.
The renewed designation underscores the department’s continued commitment to reducing wildfire risk and helping ensure safer and more resilient communities across Ventura County.