About Us
Mission and history
Wildfire Preparedness in Mendocino County
Wildfire has always been a natural and inevitable part of Mendocino County’s landscape. Native American communities once used controlled burns to manage vegetation, improve hunting conditions, and prevent larger, more dangerous fires. Ranchers followed suit in later years, using purposeful burns to reduce fuel loads. These frequent, low-intensity fires helped maintain the balance of the ecosystem and protect communities.
Today, however, decades of fire suppression combined with climate change and increased drought have left our landscapes denser and more fire-prone. Homes now dot these wildlands, and natural fires are rarely allowed to burn much area. The result is an increased risk of catastrophic wildfires that threaten lives, homes, community infrastructure, and natural resources.
Our Mission
The Mendocino County Fire Safe Council (MCFSC) was established in 2004 to address this growing threat.
Our mission is simple but critical: to inform, empower, and mobilize residents to survive and thrive in a wildfire-prone environment. Through education, preparation, and collaborative action, MCFSC helps residents reduce wildfire risks and protect their lives and property.
Our Work
MCFSC supports wildfire safety and resilience in Mendocino County through a wide array of initiatives:
Education & Awareness: We help residents understand and reduce wildfire risks and be prepared for emergencies through our public outreach, workshops, and resources.
Neighborhood Fire Safe Councils (NFSCs): We assist local communities in organizing their own fire safe councils and Firewise communities by providing education, resources, discounts, guidance, and grant funding to support their efforts.
Fuel-Reduction Projects: We provide free Community Chipper Days, residential defensible-space clearing for low-income seniors and residents with disabilities through our Defensible Space Assistance For Income Eligible (DSAFIE) program, and large-scale fuel-reduction projects to reduce hazards from overgrown vegetation.
Emergency Preparedness: We support knowledge and action for evacuation readiness, mapping of evacuation routes, improving road access and signage, and enhancing water supplies to prepare rural areas for wildfires.
Our work continues to grow! Our programs including free Home Assessments, reflective address signs, and Micro-Grants to local fire departments and NFSCs are building resilience countywide.
Our Impact
Since our founding, MCFSC has brought millions of dollars in federal, state, and private funding into Mendocino County. We’ve accomplished countless fuel-reduction projects, supported community preparedness efforts, and provided essential resources to residents and neighborhoods.
In 2021, we were honored as Nonprofit of the Year for California State Assembly District 2, in recognition of our commitment to wildfire safety.
Our History
MCFSC was born out of a grassroots effort to improve wildfire safety following the successful campaign to retain CAL FIRE’s aerial firefighting base in Ukiah. Founders Colin Wilson and Julie Rogers, along with local and CAL FIRE chiefs, recognized the need for a countywide approach to wildfire preparedness.
Although MCFSC was largely dormant during the mid-2010s, devastating wildfires in 2017 reignited the urgency of our mission. Thanks to renewed support from local organizations and the leadership of Executive Director Scott Cratty since 2020, MCFSC has seen exponential growth in staffing, funding, program development, and results toward increased wildfire safety in Mendocino County.
Get Involved
The Mendocino County Fire Safe Council invites you to support our vital work. You can make a tax-deductible donation, subscribe to our newsletter, or become a member. Together, we can create a safer, more resilient Mendocino County for all who call it home.