Weber Creek Project

Defensible Space and Home Hardening

What is El Dorado County Doing?

El Dorado County has received a $25 million California Wildfire Mitigation Program grant to assist in creating defensible space and retrofitting homes with ignition resistant building materials. This three-year project is one of six pilot program grants in California which will focus on defensible space and home hardening improvements to mitigate wildfire risk. This project focuses on 525 homes identified as high risk from wildfire along the Weber Creek drainage area, south of Placerville. See the announcement(PDF, 238KB) from CAL FIRE and Cal OES. 

What Will the Grant Fund?

Each participating residential property in the project area will be evaluated for defensible space and home hardening measures that are necessary to meet local and state requirement, as well as wildfire resilient standards. Eligible homes will receive defensible space and home hardening retrofits, up to a maximum dollar limit, at no cost to the homeowner. Priority will be given to defensible space work prior to implementing home hardening retrofits.

When Will the Project Begin?

Phase 1 of the grant was approved in 2023, and focuses on environmental review clearance. Project implementation will occur in Phase 2, anticipated to begin in late 2024. Homeowners in the project area will receive notices regarding eligibility criteria and next steps. Participants will need to complete an application, right of entry agreement, and agree to have the work completed.