Napa County proclaims May 2025 Wildfire Awareness Month; officials detail preparedness investments and projects

Napa County on May 2025 formally recognized May as Wildfire Awareness Month, and fire officials outlined investments, staffing increases and local fuel-reduction projects aimed at strengthening community resilience ahead of peak fire season.

The proclamation, read by a member of the Napa County Board of Supervisors, noted the state'wide rise in large, destructive fires and said the county has invested more than $24,600,000 in the past four years and committed matching funds to incoming hazard-mitigation and fuels-reduction grant programs. "Extreme wildfires are an increasing threat to public health and safety, homes, air quality, climate goals, and our forests," the proclamation stated.

Napa County Fire Marshal Jason said the county's focus is on prevention and homeowner readiness, including compliance inspections, homeowner consultations and contractor training. "Studies show that home hardening and defensible space can significantly increase a home's chance of surviving wildfire," Jason said, noting a free homeowner consultation program and AB 38 inspections tied to real estate transactions.

CAL FIRE Unit Chief and Napa County Fire Chief Matt Ryan described operational and aviation resources available to the county this year and said agencies are increasing the pace and scale of fuels mitigation. "Our priority within Napa County Fire Department and CAL FIRE is to make Napa County a more resilient community," Ryan said. He said recent staffing and equipment increases include 31 engines, six bulldozers, six Type 1 hand crews, expanded aerial resources including a Boggs Mountain helitack helicopter capable of night operations, a planned CH-47 Chinook at Napa County Airport, and the county's air tanker program beginning May 15. Ryan also said a second C-130 was added to the CAL FIRE fleet to deliver up to 4,000 gallons of retardant for wildfires.

Officials highlighted volunteer and local staffing increases: Napa County graduated 17 new volunteer firefighters this spring, bringing volunteer membership to about 150 countywide. County purchases noted by Ryan included two water tenders (bringing the county's total to nine), two Type 1 engines and three Type 6 engines, to bolster local response capacity.

Fuel-reduction work described at the meeting includes pile burning and prescribed burns, roadside vegetation clearing and community fuel-break projects. Ryan cited projects in Deer Park and Angwin, fuels treatments around Silverado Country Club and Atlas Peak, and recent vegetation clearing near the veterans' home in Yountville. He said Napa County and local partners have placed roughly 140 miles of dozer line in recent years to protect communities and maintain fuel breaks.

Speakers emphasized public education and partnerships. The county noted collaboration with CAL FIRE, the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation, 22 active Fire Safe Councils, the Sheriff's Office, Napa County Office of Emergency Services and Planning and Environmental Services. Residents were directed to countyofnapa.org, readynapacounty.org and readyforwildfire.org for preparedness guidance.

The proclamation expressed gratitude to fire personnel and urged residents and property owners, especially in high-risk areas, to maintain defensible space, harden homes, prepare evacuation plans and assemble emergency kits.

Meeting materials and comments did not record a roll-call vote on the proclamation; the Board read and adopted the proclamation during the session.