Due to California’s topography, climate, and vegetation the state provides a “world class” fire environment. By acreage, the largest seven fires in California history have all occurred in the past five years, five of which burned through the state between August and September 2020. To address wildfire response by The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH), the group developed a comprehensive Wildfire Outbreak Emergency Operations Plan.
The plan identifies the authorities responsible for effective emergency response in Los Angeles County in the case of a wildfire outbreak, outlining internal and external communications that facilitate response. The plan was developed as a contribution to the existing Los Angeles Operational Area Emergency Response Plan (OAERP), last updated in June 2012. “With increasing occurrences of extreme weather in Southern California, it is imperative that we remain vigilant and prepared to protect and care for Angelenos,” write the authors.