Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, requires the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to jointly establish and lead the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center, which serves as the states central organizing hub for, among other things, wildfire forecasting. Existing law requires the center to, among other things, provide specified intelligence and guidelines about wildfire threats to government agencies and designated alerting authorities.

Existing law authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency, and local officials and local governments to proclaim a local emergency, when specified conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist, and authorizes the Governor or the appropriate local government to exercise certain powers in response to that emergency.

This bill would require the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center to proactively recommend, based on extreme, life-threatening fire weather forecasts, whether a state of emergency or local emergency should be proclaimed, as specified. coordinate with the National Weather Service and the California State Warning Center to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions to ensure wide distribution of information for all potentially impacted agencies.

Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, requires the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to jointly establish and lead the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center, which serves as the states central organizing hub for, among other things, wildfire forecasting. Existing law requires the center to, among other things, provide specified intelligence and guidelines about wildfire threats to government agencies and designated alerting authorities.

Existing law authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency, and local officials and local governments to proclaim a local emergency, when specified conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist, and authorizes the Governor or the appropriate local government to exercise certain powers in response to that emergency.

This bill would require the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center to proactively recommend, based on extreme, life-threatening fire weather forecasts, whether a state of emergency or local emergency should be proclaimed, as specified.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

AB 2473 (Committee on Emergency Management) - Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center: forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions

Bill Summary:

AB 2473 directs the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC) to proactively coordinate with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the California State Warning Center (CSWC) to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions with potentially affected agencies, as specified.

Fiscal Impact:

• The Office of Emergency Services (OES) estimates costs of $3.48 million in year one and $3.33 million annually ongoing (General Fund) for 4.0 permanent positions and one-time contract/consulting costs.
• The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) estimates total costs of $1.79 million in year one, $1.33 million in year two, and $1.30 million annually ongoing (General Fund) for 3.0 permanent positions and additional transportation resources.
• Unknown, potentially significant cost pressures to various state and local agencies, to the extent that additional states of emergencies are declared based on WFTIIC reports identifying forecasted, life-threatening fire weather conditions that would not have otherwise met the criteria for a gubernatorial emergency proclamation (General Fund, special fund, and federal funds).

Background:

The WFTIIC serves as the state’s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire forecasting, weather information, and threat-related intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination. It coordinates wildfire threat intelligence and data sharing among federal, state, local agencies, tribal governments, utilities, other service providers, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations. According to its website, the mission of the WFTIIC is two-fold: 1) collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators that could lead to catastrophic wildfires; and 2) develop and share intelligence products for government decisionmakers to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfire incidents and safeguard the lives, property, and resources of California. WFTIIC’s website includes real-time data on active weather watches and incidents, forecasts, and threat indices, providing advance planning information to incident commanders on the ground.

Proposed Law:

• Requires the WFTIIC to proactively coordinate with the NWS and the CSWC to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions to ensure wide distribution of information for all potentially impacted agencies.
• Directs the WFTIIC to create a written report with specified information analyzing forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions and disseminate it to the CSWC.
• Requires the CSWC to proactively disseminate the extreme fire weather report and related information to operational area duty officers and public safety answering points within the geography of the impacted area, and provides that OES duty officers shall proactively contact operational area duty officers, as specified, to share the extreme fire weather report.
• Authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency and a local agency to proclaim a local emergency based on the information contained in the extreme fire weather report.
• Requires the WFTIIC to create and disseminate, via the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), a training program for operational areas, and their emergency managers, to interpret the analysis of the extreme fire weather report and educate the managers on the urgency, information, and potential actions to take upon receipt of the report.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Senator Henry Stern

Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 6/30/2026

SUBJECT:

SUMMARY: Directs the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC) to proactively coordinate with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the California State Warning Center (CSWC) to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions with potentially affected agencies, as specified.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Designates the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) under the California Emergency Services Act as the lead state agency responsible for state emergency response to natural, technological, or man-made disasters, as specified.
   
2. Provides that CAL FIRE, in accordance with a plan approved by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, is responsible for the prevention and suppression of forest fires.
   
3. Establishes the WFTIIC, jointly led by Cal OES and CAL FIRE to serve as the state’s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire-related forecasting, weather information, and threat intelligence.
   
4. Authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency, and local agencies to proclaim a local emergency, when specified disaster conditions are met.
   
5. Requires all state agencies to use the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) for emergency and disaster response involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies.

This bill:

1. Requires the WFTIIC to proactively coordinate with the NWS and the CSWC to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions to ensure wide distribution of information for all potentially impacted agencies.
   
2. Directs the WFTIIC to create a written report with specified information analyzing forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions and disseminate it to the CSWC.
   
3. Requires the CSWC to proactively disseminate the extreme fire weather report in 2) above and related information to operational area duty officers and public safety answering points within the geography of the impacted area, and provides that Cal OES duty officers shall proactively contact operational area duty officers, as specified, to share the extreme fire weather report.
   
4. Authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency and a local agency to proclaim a local emergency based on the information contained in the extreme fire weather report.
   
5. Requires the WFTIIC to create and disseminate, via SEMS, a training program for operational areas, and their emergency managers, to interpret the analysis of the extreme fire weather report and educate the managers on the urgency, information, and potential actions to take upon receipt of the report.

Background

Author’s statement. According to the author, “As California continues to face catastrophic wildfires, the state must fully leverage its existing forecasting capabilities to ensure local emergency managers receive timely, actionable intelligence ahead of extreme fire weather. This bill requires the Wildfire Forecast & Threat Intelligence Integration Center to proactively provide written reports to all potentially impacted agencies when life-threatening conditions are forecasted, including clear information on the severity, urgency, and timing of the threat. By ensuring this information is consistently shared in advance, the bill equips state and local officials with the situational awareness needed to take early action, including making timely emergency declarations that can save lives and protect communities.”

The WFTIIC. The WFTIIC serves as the state’s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire forecasting, weather information, and threat-related intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination. It coordinates wildfire threat intelligence and data sharing among federal, state, local agencies, tribal governments, utilities, other service providers, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations. According to its website, the mission of the WFTIIC is two-fold: 1) collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators that could lead to catastrophic wildfires; and, 2) develop and share intelligence products for government decisionmakers to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfire incidents and safeguard the lives, property, and resources of California. WFTIIC’s website includes real-time data on active weather watches and incidents, forecasts, and threat indices, providing advance planning information to incident commanders on the ground.

The CSWC. Cal OES operates the CSWC, which is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to identify potential and emerging threats to California and provide alert notification to all levels of government. The CSWC operates various notification platforms, uses standardized messaging and communication techniques, and maintains 24-hour emergency points of contact for local government, state agencies, critical infrastructure operators and other key partners.

The CSWC receives and makes thousands of notifications annually. Upon detection of a threat, the CSWC coordinates information needed to determine the potential impact of the event and provides notifications, monitors progress and provides situational updates until the event is resolved. A Mobile Command Unit that takes 15 minutes to set up and be operational was recently added to the CSWC to ensure seamless continuity of operations in the event of a disruption or an emergency impacting the primary CSWC facility.

The SEMS. SEMS is the state framework used to standardize emergency response involving multiple jurisdictions or agencies to ensure response activities are performed rapidly and effectively during an incident. According to Cal OES, SEMS uses the Incident Command System (ICS) to provide the on-scene emergency management structure needed to respond to the complexity and demands of single or multiple incidents without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries. The ICS combines facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications to operate within a common organizational structure responsible for managing resources effectively.

This bill tasks the WFTICC with producing reports related to extreme fire weather forecasts and proactively disseminating this information and a related training program for operational area emergency managers through SEMS.

Prior/Related Legislation

SB 209 (Dodd), Chapter 405, Statutes of 2019, requires Cal OES and CAL FIRE to jointly establish and administer the WFTIIC.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT:

None on file

OPPOSITION:

None on file

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 2473

Author:(Committee on Emergency Management)

As Amended Ver:April 7, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC) to proactively coordinate with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the California State Warning Center to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions with all potentially impacted agencies and create, and widely share, a written report analyzing extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions; and specifies a state of emergency or a local emergency may be proclaimed based on information in the report.

Major Provisions

1. Requires the WFTIIC to proactively coordinate with the NWS and the California State Warning Center to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions to ensure wide distribution of information for all potentially impacted agencies.
2. Requires the WFTIIC to create a written report, as specified, analyzing any extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions, as specified, and disseminate it to the California State Warning Center.
3. Requires the California State Warning Center to proactively disseminate the report and related information to the relevant operational area duty officers and public safety answering points, as specified.
4. Specifies a state of emergency or a local emergency may be proclaimed based on information in the report.
5. Requires WFTIIC to create and disseminate, via the standardized emergency management system structure (SEMS), a training program for operational areas, and their emergency managers, to interpret the analysis of the reports and learn the level of urgency, information, and potential actions to take when receiving this report.

COMMENTS

California′s Wildfire Forecast & Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC). The WFTIIC serves as the state′s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire forecasting, weather information, threat intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination. Established by SB 209 (Dodd), Chapter 405, Statutes of 2019, the WFTIIC also coordinates wildfire threat intelligence and data sharing among federal, state, local agencies, tribal governments, utilities, other service providers, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations. WFTIIC′s website includes real-time data on active weather watches and incidents, forecasts, and threat indices. The WFTIIC′s mission is to 1) collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators that could lead to catastrophic wildfires and 2) develop and share intelligence products for government decisionmakers to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfire incidents and safeguard the lives, property, and resources of California.

California State Warning Center: The California State Warning Center (CSWC) is the official State Warning Point. The CSWC is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to identify potential and emerging threats across the state, give alert notification to all levels of government, and provide critical situational awareness during an emergency or disaster. The mission of the CSWC is to be a central intelligence hub for statewide emergency communications and notifications. The CSWC serves as a highly reliable and accurate ″one-stop″ resource for emergency management, law enforcement, fire, and key decision making personnel throughout the state.

Annually, CSWC staff make over 1,155,000 notifications due to weather related warnings, fires, power outages or power utility Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), seismic incidents, and other significant and potentially significant incidents that may have emergency management impacts to California. In addition, CSWC staff complete an average of 10,000 hazardous material spill reports, which results in more than 395,000 hazardous materials notifications to federal, state and local government agencies.

California′s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS): In order to respond to frequent and multiple disasters occurring anytime and anywhere in the state, it is important that emergency response agencies operate within a clear and consistent organizational structure. SEMS is the cornerstone of California′s emergency response system and the fundamental structure for the response phase of emergency management. The system unifies all elements of California′s emergency management community into a single integrated system and standardizes key elements.

According to the Author

As California continues to face catastrophic wildfires, the state must fully leverage its existing forecasting capabilities to ensure local emergency managers receive timely, actionable intelligence ahead of extreme fire weather. This bill requires the Wildfire Forecast & Threat Intelligence Integration Center to proactively provide written reports to all potentially impacted agencies when life-threatening conditions are forecasted, including clear information on the severity, urgency, and timing of the threat. By ensuring this information is consistently shared in advance, the bill equips state and local officials with the situational awareness needed to take early action, including making timely emergency declarations that can save lives and protect communities.″

Arguments in Support

None on file.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations:

1. Costs of approximately $3.3 million in the first year and $3.1 million annually thereafter to OES for five additional positions and a one-time consulting contract to create and proactively disseminate extreme fire weather reports and the related training program for operational area emergency managers (General Fund (GF)). CAL FIRE will also incur its own costs for its role as a joint leader of the WFTIIC (GF).
2. Cost pressures of an unknown, but potentially significant amount, across all state agencies to execute directives if the Governor proclaims a state of emergency in response to an extreme fire weather report (GF or special fund). The magnitude of cost pressures depends on when or whether the proclamation would otherwise occur absent the report, as well as the fact pattern of the weather event and response efforts.

VOTES

ASM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: 6-0-1

YES: Ransom, Hadwick, Arambula, Bennett, Calderon, DeMaio

ABS, ABST OR NV: Bains

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Ta, Tangipa

UPDATED

VERSION: April 7, 2026

CONSULTANT: Ryan Fleming / E.M. / (916) 319-3802 FN: 0002743

Date of Hearing: April 29, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2473

Author:(Committee on Emergency Management) – As Amended Ver:April 7, 2026

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC) to proactively coordinate with the National Weather Service (NWS) and California State Warning Center (CSWC) to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions.

Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the WFTIIC, led jointly by the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), to proactively coordinate with the NWS and CSWC to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions to ensure wide distribution of information for all potentially impacted agencies.
2. Requires the WFTIIC to create a written report that contains certain information analyzing forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions (“extreme fire weather report”) for the CSWC, requires the CSWC to proactively disseminate the report and related information to operational area duty officers and public safety answering points within the geography of the impacted area, and requires OES duty officers to proactively make contact with operational area duty officers via phone, text, email, or radio to share the report.
3. Authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency and a local agency to proclaim a local emergency based on the information contained in an extreme fire weather report
4. Requires the WFTIIC to create and disseminate a training program for operational areas to interpret the analysis of an extreme fire weather report and educate operational area emergency managers on the urgency, information, and potential actions to take upon receipt of a report.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Costs of approximately $3.3 million in the first year and $3.1 million annually thereafter to OES for five additional positions and a one-time consulting contract to create and proactively disseminate extreme fire weather reports and the related training program for operational area emergency managers (General Fund (GF)). CAL FIRE will also incur its own costs for its role as a joint leader of the WFTIIC (GF).
2. Cost pressures of an unknown, but potentially significant amount, across all state agencies to execute directives if the Governor proclaims a state of emergency in response to an extreme fire weather report (GF or special fund). The magnitude of cost pressures depends on when or whether the proclamation would otherwise occur absent the report, as well as the fact pattern of the weather event and response efforts.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office recently warned of GF structural deficits of around $35 billion per year in the 2027-28 fiscal year and ongoing.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

As California continues to face catastrophic wildfires, the state must fully leverage its existing forecasting capabilities to ensure local emergency managers receive timely, actionable intelligence ahead of extreme fire weather. This bill requires the [WFTIIC] to proactively provide written reports to all potentially impacted agencies when life-threatening conditions are forecasted, including clear information on the severity, urgency, and timing of the threat. By ensuring this information is consistently shared in advance, the bill equips state and local officials with the situational awareness needed to take early action, including making timely emergency declarations that can save lives and protect communities.

1. Background. WFTIIC. SB 209 (Dodd), Chapter 405, Statutes of 2019, required OES and CAL FIRE to jointly establish and lead the WFTIIC, which serves as the state’s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire forecasting, weather information, and threat intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination among federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, utilities, other service providers, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations. The WFTIIC’s website includes real-time data on active weather watches and threat indices.

CSWC. The CSWC is staffed around the clock to identify potential and emerging threats across the state, give alert notifications to all levels of government, and provide critical situational awareness during an emergency or disaster.

This bill requires the WFTIIC to proactively coordinate with the NWS and CSWC to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions with potentially impacted agencies and produce a written extreme fire weather report for the CSWC, which must then proactively disseminate the report and related information to operational area duty officers and public safety answering points within the geography of the impacted area. The WFTIIC must also create a training program for operational area emergency managers on the urgency, information, and potential actions to take upon receipt of a report.

Analysis Prepared by: Irene Ho / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 13, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Rhodesia Ransom, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2473 (

Author:Committee on Emergency Management) – As Amended Ver:April 7, 2026

SUBJECT: Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center: forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions

SUMMARY: Requires the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC) to proactively coordinate with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the California State Warning Center to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions with all potentially impacted agencies and create, and widely share, a written report analyzing extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions; and specifies a state of emergency or a local emergency may be proclaimed based on information in the report. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the WFTIIC to proactively coordinate with the NWS and the California State Warning Center to share forecasted extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions to ensure wide distribution of information for all potentially impacted agencies.
2. Requires the WFTIIC to create a written report analyzing any extreme, life-threatening fire weather conditions, as specified, and disseminate it to the California State Warning Center and requires the report to contain, at a minimum, the following:
   1. Whether the NWS has issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS).
   2. Whether the NWS has issued a Red Flag Warning.
   3. Wind speeds.
   4. Relative humidity.
   5. Fuels status.
   6. Narrative of the threat and recommended protective actions.
   7. Geography of impacted area, including a list of counties.
   8. Urgency and timeliness of action.
3. Requires the California State Warning Center to proactively disseminate the report and related information to the relevant operational area duty officers and public safety answering points. As part of this requirement, the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) duty officers must proactively make contact via phone, text, email, or radio with operational area duty officers when sharing the report.
4. Specifies a state of emergency or a local emergency may be proclaimed based on information in the report.
5. Requires WFTIIC to create and disseminate, via the standardized emergency management system structure (SEMS), a training program for operational areas, and their emergency managers, to interpret the analysis of the reports and learn the level of urgency, information, and potential actions to take when receiving this report.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires Cal OES and Cal FIRE to jointly establish and lead the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC), and sets forth the functions, duties, and membership of the center, including serving as the state’s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire forecasting. (Government Code § 8586.7)
2. Declares the WFTIIC’s primary mission is to collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators that could lead to catastrophic wildfire and to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfire incidents that could endanger the safety of persons, property, and the environment by developing and sharing intelligence products related to fire weather and fire threat conditions for government decisionmakers. (Government Code § 8586.7)
3. Requires the WFTIIC to provide intelligence and data in compliance with National Fire Danger Rating System standards and guidelines about wildfire threats to government agencies and designated alerting authorities, as specified, and develop intelligence products for use by public and private sector entities engaged in wildfire risk mitigation efforts. (Government Code § 8586.7)
4. Under the California Emergency Services Act, establishes the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) within the office of the Governor for the purpose of mitigating the effects of natural, manmade, or war-caused emergencies. (Government Code § 8550)
5. Authorizes the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency, when specified disaster conditions are met (Government Code § 8625 and 8558)
6. Authorizes local officials and local governments to proclaim a local emergency, when specified disaster conditions are met (Government Code § 8630)
7. Grants the Governor or local government who have proclaimed an emergency to exercise certain powers in response to that emergency (Government Code § 8571)
8. Under the California Emergency Services Act, defines a state of emergency to mean the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the state caused by conditions such as, among others, air pollution, fire, flood, and storm. (Government Code § 8558)
9. Under the California Emergency Services Act, defines a local emergency to mean the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a county, city and county, or city, caused by conditions such as, among others, air pollution, fire, flood, and storm. (Government Code § 8558)
10. Establishes the standardized emergency management system, as specified. (Government Code § 8607)
11. Requires all state agencies to use the standardized emergency management system, as specified, to coordinate multiple jurisdiction or multiple agency emergency and disaster operations. (Government Code § 8607)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill has not been analyzed by a fiscal committee.

COMMENTS:

Author Statement: “As California continues to face catastrophic wildfires, the state must fully leverage its existing forecasting capabilities to ensure local emergency managers receive timely, actionable intelligence ahead of extreme fire weather. This bill requires the Wildfire Forecast & Threat Intelligence Integration Center to proactively provide written reports to all potentially impacted agencies when life-threatening conditions are forecasted, including clear information on the severity, urgency, and timing of the threat. By ensuring this information is consistently shared in advance, the bill equips state and local officials with the situational awareness needed to take early action, including making timely emergency declarations that can save lives and protect communities.”

Equity Statement: “As we have seen in many recent emergencies, disasters disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. These communities often face barriers to timely information, evacuations, aid, and recovery. This bill ensures emergency managers across the state have the situational awareness needed to take early action and make emergency declarations that will help save lives.”

California’s Wildfire Forecast & Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC). The WFTIIC serves as the state’s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire forecasting, weather information, threat intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination. Established by SB 209 (Dodd, 405, Statutes of 2019), the WFTIIC also coordinates wildfire threat intelligence and data sharing among federal, state, local agencies, tribal governments, utilities, other service providers, academic institutions, and nongovernmental organizations. WFTIIC’s website includes real-time data on active weather watches and incidents, forecasts, and threat indices. The WFTIIC’s mission is to 1) collect, assess, and analyze fire weather data, atmospheric conditions, and other threat indicators that could lead to catastrophic wildfires and 2) develop and share intelligence products for government decisionmakers to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfire incidents and safeguard the lives, property, and resources of California.

WFTIIC is comprised of representatives from: Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), CALFIRE, the Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Military Department – FireGuard, University of California, California State University, California Utilities Emergency Association, at least one representative of investor-owned utility companies, at least one representative of publicly owned utilities, and any other members as designated jointly by the respective directors of Cal OES and CAL FIRE. Additionally, representatives from the National Weather Service and the United States Forest Service may be invited to join the WFTIIC.

Wildfires: Wildfires are a severe and growing threat to lives, property, and infrastructure in California. The confluence of a changing climate, urbanization, and constraints on forest management increases the urgency to address this threat. According to data from CAL FIRE, 18 of California’s 20 most destructive fires have occurred in the past decade.^[1] Collectively, these fires have resulted in 231 deaths and the loss of 66, 810 structures (homes, outbuildings, and commercial properties). While fewer wildfires threatened California in 2023 due to the increased number of weather events and atmospheric rivers, the vegetative growth from the significant rainfall contributed to devastating wildfires in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, the Park Fire became the fourth-largest fire in California’s history. Despite aggressive initial attack suppression efforts, the fire rapidly expanded, ultimately consuming 429,603 acres across Butte and Tehama counties. The Park Fire led to the destruction of 713 structures and damage to 57 others, prompting widespread evacuations and the temporary closure of Lassen Volcanic National Park.

In January 2025, Los Angeles County experienced the second and third most destructive fires in California history: the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) estimated the fires’ total property and capital losses could range between $76 billion and $131 billion, with insured losses estimated up to $45 billion. At its height, the fires placed an estimated 331,335 people on an evacuation advisory, with nearly 192,000 residents facing mandatory evacuation and roughly 140,000 subject to warnings. The Eaton Fire resulted in 9,413 buildings being destroyed, 1,074 structures damaged, and 19 confirmed civilian fatalities. The Palisades Fire resulted in 6,833 structures destroyed, 973 structures damaged, and 12 confirmed civilian fatalities. The blazes burned a combined 37,728 acres and leveled entire communities in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods of LA County.

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Cal OES is responsible for addressing natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies, and preparing the State to prevent, respond to, quickly recover from, and mitigate the effects of both intentional and natural disasters. As part of their overall preparedness mission, Cal OES is required to develop a State Emergency Plan (SEP), State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP), and maintains Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the Emergency Management Mutual Aid System (EMMA). Cal OES, in coordination with FEMA and local partners, has developed four Catastrophic Plans to augment the State Emergency Plan.

California State Warning Center: The California State Warning Center (CSWC) is the official State Warning Point. The CSWC is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to identify potential and emerging threats across the state, give alert notification to all levels of government, and provide critical situational awareness during an emergency or disaster. The mission of the CSWC is to be a central intelligence hub for statewide emergency communications and notifications. The CSWC serves as a highly reliable and accurate “one-stop” resource for emergency management, law enforcement, fire, and key decision making personnel throughout the state.

Annually, CSWC staff make over 1,155,000 notifications due to weather related warnings, fires, power outages or power utility Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), seismic incidents, and other significant and potentially significant incidents that may have emergency management impacts to California. In addition, CSWC staff complete an average of 10,000 hazardous material spill reports, which results in more than 395,000 hazardous materials notifications to federal, state and local government agencies.

California’s Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS): In order to respond to frequent and multiple disasters occurring anytime and anywhere in the state, it is important that emergency response agencies operate within a clear and consistent organizational structure. SEMS is the cornerstone of California’s emergency response system and the fundamental structure for the response phase of emergency management. The system unifies all elements of California’s emergency management community into a single integrated system and standardizes key elements.

Related Legislation:

SB 209 (Dodd, Chapter 405, Statutes of 2019) required the Office of Emergency Services (OES) and CAL FIRE to jointly establish and lead the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center, to serve as the state’s integrated central organizing hub for wildfire forecasting, weather information, threat intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file.

Opposition

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Ryan Fleming / E.M. / (916) 319-3802

1. Statistics, CAL FIRE https://www.fire.ca.gov/our-impact/statistics ↑