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Commission adopts 2026 Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan; commissioners discuss how it differs from state—s House Bill 48 map
Summary
The commission approved the county—s five-year Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan required by the state and discussed how the county CWPP differs from and can use the state—s House Bill 48 high-risk mapping; staff offered to arrange a state presentation to answer technical questions.
The San Juan County Commission approved the county—s 2026 Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan (CWPP), a five-year document the state requires for counties to qualify for certain planning and mitigation activities.
County staff said the CWPP is a locally tailored cooperative plan that identifies high- and low-risk areas, updated maps and priorities for response. "This document, CWPP, it's specifically set up for your county, your entities, people associated here within your area," a staff member explained, distinguishing the local plan from the state—s program.
Commissioners raised state-level House Bill 48 (HB48), a separate program that overlays many data layers to designate statewide high-risk areas. Commissioner Harvey and others expressed concern that HB48 shifts planning and fee-collection burdens to counties and property owners. "The hardest part...is that they're putting the burden on the counties to collect, then the money goes to the state," one commissioner said, summarizing concerns about fees and coordination with federal land managers.
Staff acknowledged the difference between the county CWPP and HB48 but said the two can be used in tandem: HB48—s high-risk mapping can inform a county—s CWPP and prioritization, even though the programs are separate. Staff offered to schedule state presenters so commissioners and residents can ask technical questions about HB48 implementation and maps.
The commission approved the CWPP; staff noted the plan will remain under periodic review and is required every five years.
What—s next: Staff will work with county partners on implementation priorities and will try to schedule a state presentation about HB48 mapping for the region.
