CAL FIRE joined federal, state, Tribal, and nonprofit partners in officially signing the Southern California Ignition Reduction Program (SCIRP) charter — a collaborative effort to tackle one of the most preventable causes of wildfire: roadside ignitions.
Did you know? Nearly 95% of wildfires in Southern California are human-caused, and about two-thirds of those start within 500 feet of a roadway. SCIRP was created in 2023 to change that.
By working across jurisdictional boundaries, SCIRP partners — including the USDA Forest Service, CAL FIRE, Caltrans, and the California Department of Conservation — are developing solutions like:
Vegetation treatments along roadwaysPhysical barriers and ignition-resistant materialsPublic awareness campaigns to help drivers and communities prevent sparks before they start“By working together, we’re tackling one of the most preventable causes of wildfire in Southern California,” said CAL FIRE Southern Region Chief Mike van Loben Sels. “This partnership allows us to focus on roadside ignitions, protect communities, and safeguard the natural resources we all depend on.”
SCIRP’s vision is a future where roadways are safer, communities are more resilient, and wildfires are limited to natural or beneficial ignitions.
Everyone has a role to play: stay alert, maintain your vehicle, and avoid activities that can create sparks. Together, we can reduce roadside ignitions and protect the people, property, and landscapes of Southern California.
