RESILIENT DUNSMUIR PLAN (SAFETY ELEMENT)
Dunsmuir is updating its General Plan Safety Element to create a comprehensive resilience strategy for the community.
Where the project stands
City's response to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (CAL FIRE) comments is under review. Responses submitted August 20, 2026.
Three documents, one strategy
The Resilient Dunsmuir Plan (Safety Element) combines the Safety Element with the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, so the City plans for hazards, resilience, and wildfire together instead of separately.
resilient Dunsmuir Plan (Safety Element): In CAL FIRE informal review
Required General Plan chapter identifying hazards and the policies to protect the community. First major update since 2006.
Wildfire risk and prevention
Flooding and geologic hazards
Climate vulnerability and adaptation
Evacuation planning and seismic safety
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan: Adopted
The City adopted the February 2025 Siskiyou County, California Local Hazard Mitigation Plan by Resolution 2025-10 on May 15, 2025, covering hazard mitigation strategies for the region.
Wildfires and floods
Severe weather
Earthquakes and landslides
Community Wildfire Protection Plan, CWPP (2016 Amended 2026): Update in progress
Originally adopted in 2016, the CWPP is being updated to address required regulation from 2016 to present.
Also underway: Environmental Justice Element
The Environmental Justice Element is a new, state-required chapter (Senate Bill 1000 [SB 1000], Sen. Leyva, 2016; Gov. Code § 65302, subd. [h]) that ensures every neighborhood has equitable access to safety resources and a healthy environment. It was developed at the same time as the Resilient Dunsmuir Plan (Safety Element), but as its own separate document, not merged into it. Status: Draft under revision.
Equitable access to services and facilities
Reduced pollution and health-risk exposure
Priority for disadvantaged communities
Project timeline
Nov 2024 and Feb 2025: Question of the Week surveys: Early online surveys gathered community priorities ahead of the first workshop.
March 2025: Workshop #1, Public kick-off: Plan overview, community profile, values, and hazards, at City Council Chambers and online.
May 15, 2025: City adopts the February 2025 Siskiyou County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan: Resolution 2025-10 formally adopted the February 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
August 2025: Workshop #2: Continued community input toward the draft Safety Element.
April 30, 2026: Environmental Justice Element workshop: Community Center workshop and survey, in person and via Teams, with Spanish interpretation available. Results are being incorporated into the draft Environment Justice Element.
July 6, 2026: Draft Resilient Dunsmuir Plan (Safety Element) complete: Submitted for informal review by CAL FIRE, ahead of formal submission to the state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
August 20, 2026: City submits response to CAL FIRE's comments: CAL FIRE is now reviewing the City's response.
Upcoming: Formal review by the state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection: Once CAL FIRE's informal review concludes, the Resilient Dunsmuir Plan (Safety Element) moves to the state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection for formal review.
Upcoming: Public and agency review, all documents together: At that point, the Resilient Dunsmuir Plan (Safety Element), Environmental Justice Element, Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2016 Amended 2026), Climate Action Implementation Guide, and Post-Disaster Damage Assessment & Debris Management Annex will be released together for public comment and agency review, including tribal consultation. None of these documents are final or available yet.
Upcoming: Planning Commission & City Council consideration: After the review periods conclude, all five documents go before both bodies for adoption.
Documents & resources
Draft Resilient Dunsmuir Plan (Safety Element) (Not yet available)
February 2025 Siskiyou County, California Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Download PDF →
Community Wildfire Protection Plan (May 31, 2016). Download PDF →
Draft Community Wildfire Protection Plan Addendum (CWPP [2016 Amended 2026]) (Not yet available)
Draft Environmental Justice Element (Not yet available)
Draft Climate Action Implementation Guide (Not yet available)
Draft Post-Disaster Damage Assessment & Debris Management Annex (Not yet available)
Workshop presentations & materials (February 2025) Download PDF →
None of the draft documents above have been released for public or agency comment yet. They will be posted here together once the Safety Element moves to the state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection for formal review.
Get involved
Attend a hearing
Watch for noticed Planning Commission and City Council hearings once the draft posts.
Submit written comments
Comments are welcome during the public review period on the draft documents.
Contact the project team
Resilience Coordinator
Laura Hall
5902 Dunsmuir Avenue, Dunsmuir, CA 96025
530-239-1040
laura@dunsmuirca.gov
City Manager
Matt Cohrs
5902 Dunsmuir Avenue, Dunsmuir, CA 96025
530-235-4822
matt@dunsmuirca.gov
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Finance Director Blake Michaelsen for his help on the Environmental Justice workshop.