Petrolia is a community of about 500 people located approximately 5 miles inland, north of the King Range National Conservation Area in the southwestern portion of the county. The landscape surrounding Petrolia is situated within the wildland-urban interface and is particularly hazardous for wildfires, with steep mountainous terrain and many narrow, windy roads.
Petrolia became a nationally recognized Firewise Community in 2011 and has maintained its Firewise status since then. The Petrolia Firewise Board works in conjunction with the Lower Mattole Fire Safe Council (FSC), the Mattole Restoration Council, and the Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) to improve fire-safety in this area.
Community Events
Petrolia Firewise events are often held in conjunction with fundraisers for the Petrolia VFD. These Firewise events often include barbecues, auctions, and live music as well as the distribution of Firewise materials and gathering community feedback related to fire-related needs and concerns.
Fire Preparedness
Fire preparedness efforts in this community have included helping landowners clear home ignition zones, updating street and address signage, and fuels reduction projects through the Fire Adapted Landscapes and Safe Homes (FLASH) program, a rebate program that reimburses landowners for reducing hazardous wildfire fuels on their properties.
Action Tools
Petrolia's Firewise community wildfire assessment (PDF) and action plan (PDF) are excellent tools for communities to learn about wildfire hazards in their area and collaboratively identify actions to reduce those hazards.