Submitted by Chris Prater
Firefighter/Paramedic, Public Information Officer
Recently, the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District assumed oversight of the San Bernardino County Fire Hazard Abatement Program. The transition moves administrative and operational responsibility for the program from the County’s Land Use Services Department to San Bernardino County Fire, consolidating fire hazard abatement services under the agency that responds to wildfires across nearly 20,000 square miles of San Bernardino County.
The Fire Hazard Abatement Program enforces fire prevention requirements in multiple cities and unincorporated communities throughout the county within the jurisdiction of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. The program’s primary function is to reduce wildfire risk by proactively establishing defensible space and reducing or removing flammable materials on properties.
Program staff conduct property surveys throughout the year, identify fire hazards and mail notices to property owners with 30 days to correct violations. Failure to abate violations may result in citations, penalties or fees for abatement by the county.
Valley and Desert region properties receive two surveys per year during early spring and early fall to account for varying vegetation growth cycles, while Mountain region properties receive one survey each summer. The program also responds to complaints year-round across unincorporated areas and contracting cities and fire districts.
San Bernardino County Fire will provide dedicated program staff, including seven fire hazard abatement officers, two senior fire hazard abatement officers, and one assistant fire marshal for fire hazard abatement.
“Fire hazard abatement is one of the most effective tools we have for reducing wildfire risk before a fire ever starts,” said Fire Chief Dan Munsey of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. “Assuming oversight of this program allows County Fire to integrate those efforts more fully into our broader approach to protecting the communities we serve. We also want to thank the Land Use Services Department for their stewardship of this program and for their continued cooperation as we work together to keep San Bernardino County residents safe.”
The agreement was formalized between San Bernardino County and the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District beginning on July 1, 2026. The County’s Land Use Services Department will continue to handle fee collection, billing and revenue processing during the transition period. County Fire will assume full administrative, operational and enforcement responsibility for the program upon completion of the transition.
For more information on the Fire Hazard Abatement program, visit sbcfire.org/abatement.
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