A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a locally developed planning document, authorized under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, that identifies and prioritizes actions to reduce wildfire risk to communities and surrounding landscapes. CWPPs are prepared collaboratively with input from local governments, fire agencies, land management agencies, and stakeholders to assess wildfire hazards, guide fuels reduction, and improve preparedness.

Benefits of a CWPP include enhanced public safety through prioritized fuels management, improved coordination among agencies and landowners, increased eligibility for state and federal funding, and greater community resilience by reducing wildfire intensity, protecting critical infrastructure, and supporting fire-adapted ecosystems.

Spatial Informatics Group, LLC (SIG) is an environmental think tank established in 1998. Now with nearly 100 team members, SIG is dedicated to using innovative solutions and expertise in geospatial analysis, environmental sciences, and socioeconomic sciences for complex projects across California and beyond. We provide a wide range of services, including developing geospatial data, creating maps, conducting research, monitoring, and integrating scientific disciplines like ecology, forestry, risk and hazard management, climate change, natural resource economics, carbon offsets, and sustainable urban and environmental planning. Our organization is internationally recognized for our scientific expertise and contributions, which include publishing in leading academic journals and presenting at global conferences. We are highly regarded for our proficiency in cloud-based geo-computational frameworks and promoting transparency and reproducibility. This has earned us the trust of both clients and the scientific community. 

Alongside AFSC and SIG is the Steering Committee, the members of which help guide the development of the CWPP. The Steering Committee members include:

• Mike Blankenheim, CalFire, AEU Unit Chief
• Jeff Hoag, CalFire, AEU Battalion Chief
• Matthew Girton, Amador County Office of Emergency Services, Sergeant
• Rob Withrow, Amador FPD, Fire Chief
• Kayla Dale, Amador FPD, Public Information Officer
• James Thornock, USFS, District Fire Management - Division Chief 1
• Susan Peters, Amador Water Agency, AFSC, City Planner

As well as members of Amador FSC and SIG which include:

• Amanda Watson, AFSC, Executive Director
• Todd Bertwell, AFSC, Natural Resources Project Manager
• Nick Miley, SIG, Project Manager
• Ian Moore, SIG, Natural Hazards Domain Lead

The Working Group provides key input, insight, and information to assist in the development of the CWPP. The working group is composed of key stakeholders in the county who represent various organizations of government, land management, utilities, and fire protection.

Based on participation in the first Working Group meeting on September 10th and individual correspondence, the current members of the working group are listed below. The Steering Committee members also actively participate in the Working Group.

• Beth Brenneman, BLM, Project Manager Fire/Fuels
• Barry Clark, Amador County, Deputy Agricultural Commissioner
• Todd Crawford, Pacific Gas & Electric, Public Safety Specialist
• Michael DeSpain, Buena Vista Band of Mi-Wuk Indians, COO
• Chris Dow, Sierra Pacific Industries, South Sierra Vegetation Management Specialist
• Tom Dubois, City of Sutter Creek, City Manager
• Rob Ebling, Amador FPD, Battalion Chief
• Rick Ferreira, Amador Water Agency, Operations and Engineering Manager
• Dominic Moreno, City of Sutter Creek, Fire Chief
• Herminia Perry, Amador County, Air Pollution Control Officer
• Richard Sykes, UMRWA, Executive Officer
• Laura Spellman, Calfire, Research Data Specialist
• Aaron Watkins, Amador FPD, Battalion Chief

If you don’t see your organization represented, and believe that your voice should be heard, please consider joining the Working Group!

Please contact Todd Bertwell (todd@amadorrcd.org).

9/10/2025: