RESILIENT DUNSMUIR PLAN
Dunsmuir is updating its General Plan Safety Element to create a comprehensive resilience strategy for our community.
What is the Resilient Dunsmuir Plan?
The City of Dunsmuir is updating its General Plan Safety Element to create the Resilient Dunsmuir Plan. This integrated approach combines the City's Safety Element with the recently adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Annex for Dunsmuir, the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), which is currently being updated, and a new Environmental Justice Element.
The Resilient Dunsmuir Plan will address natural hazards, climate adaptation, environmental justice, and community resilience to ensure equitable protection and preparedness for all residents.
This update fulfills California state requirements under SB 379 (climate adaptation), SB 1000 (environmental justice), and other recent legislation, positioning Dunsmuir to better prepare for and respond to wildfires, floods, and other natural hazards.
What is Included in the Resilient Dunsmuir Plan?
The Resilient Dunsmuir Plan integrates the following four key planning components:
Safety Element (Update)
The Safety Element is a required component of the City's General Plan that identifies natural and human-caused hazards and establishes policies to protect the community. This update will address:
Wildfire risk and prevention
Flooding and geologic hazards
Climate change vulnerability and adaptation strategies
Emergency preparedness and evacuation planning
Seismic safety
Hazardous material
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Annex
The City recently approved Resolution 2025-10 to adopt the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex on May 15, 2025. This plan identifies specific hazards facing Dunsmuir and outlines mitigation strategies to reduce risk and enhance community resilience. The LHMP Annex addresses hazards including:
Wildfires
Floods
Severe weather
Earthquakes
Landslides
Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) (Update)
The CWPP focuses specifically on wildfire prevention, preparedness, and response. This plan is currently being updated to reflect current conditions, fire risk assessments, and best practices for wildfire mitigation.
Status: Update in progress
Environmental Justice Element (New)
The Environmental Justice Element is being prepared as a required component under California law (SB 1000). This element will ensure that all community members, particularly disadvantaged populations, have equitable access to safety resources, emergency services, and climate resilience measures. It will address:
Equitable distribution of public facilities and services
Reduction of pollution exposure and health risks
Meaningful civic engagement and community input
Prioritization of improvements and investments in disadvantaged communities
Access to healthy food, safe housing, and clean air and water
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Community input is essential to the success of the Resilient Dunsmuir Plan. The City has held two workshops and several online surveys to gather feedback and ideas from residents.
Completed Workshops/Surveys (2024 and 2025)
Upcoming Workshop/Survey (2026)
Environmental Justice Element Workshop
Community Engagement
What is Environmental Justice? Everyone deserves clean air and water, safe homes, healthy food, and a voice in decisions affecting their community.
🎯 Goal: Get YOUR input on policies to improve health and quality of life in Dunsmuir.
📍 In-Person: Dunsmuir Community Center Building 4835 Dunsmuir Ave, Dunsmuir, CA 96025
🔗 Join via Microsoft Teams (Virtual): Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21612490513890?p=TG5tnYNEWbtm6l8uWK
No account needed! Just scan the code or enter the link, then select "Join on the web instead."
Asistencia en Español: Si desea interpretación en español para la sesión de Teams, favor de conectarse 10 minutos antes.
🗓️ When: April 30, 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Free food and refreshments ! (Please RSVP by April 16 at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYTa86mIsCIccQjnQnEtL_e9-58BmaQwrlZC3TMRdk9WTsNA/viewform?usp=publish-editor)
Your Voice Matters!
We want to hear from you! Our Google Survey is available:
• Before the Workshop: On the City's website (click on link below)
• During the Workshop: Available for completion.
• After the Workshop (10 days): Share your thoughts and ideas.
Complete the Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12G2AqMxKjcSeUqqPFP53UO83GciIqqvvFaIoQnRo-ro/viewform
Your feedback is crucial for shaping our environmental justice policies!
What We've Heard From the Community in 2024 and 2025
Community input is shaping the Resilient Dunsmuir Plan. Through our workshops and surveys conducted between November 2024 and August 2025, residents have shared their priorities and concerns for community safety and resilience.
Key Findings from Community Engagement:
At our first stakeholder meeting and through subsequent workshops and surveys, participants identified the following:
Top Hazard Concerns:
Wildfire risk and prevention
Flooding and severe weather
Earthquake preparedness
Climate change impacts
Emergency Preparedness Priorities:
Clear evacuation routes and planning
Reliable emergency communication systems
Community shelter locations and resources
Support for vulnerable populations during emergencies
What We've Heard From the Community in 2026 (coming soon)
Environmental Justice Priorities:
Equitable access to emergency services across all neighborhoods
Resources and support for elderly, low-income, and disabled residents
Language accessibility for emergency information
Community involvement in planning decisions
Community Strengths:
Strong neighborhood networks and mutual aid
Committed volunteers and local organizations
Deep local knowledge of hazards and resources
Active participation in community meetings
Environmental Justice Workshop Survey Results (Coming Soon):
Environmental Justice Workshop Photos (Coming Soon)
[Photo: workshop-participants.jpg] [Photo: community-discussion.jpg] [Photo: group-activity.jpg] [Photo: presentation-moment.jpg] [Photo: attendees-engaged.jpg]
Photos (to be determined with examples below):
Community members participating in the Environmental Justice Workshop
Residents sharing ideas during group discussion
Workshop participants working on community priorities
Presentation on environmental justice and community resilience
Engaged attendees at the Environmental Justice Workshop
PROJECT TIMELINE (Tentative)
Why is This Important?
The Resilient Dunsmuir Plan will:
Enhance Community Safety – Identify and reduce risks from wildfires, floods, and other hazards
Prepare for Climate Change – Develop strategies to adapt to changing climate conditions
Promote Environmental Justice – Ensure all residents have equal access to safety resources and healthy environments
Coordinate Planning Efforts – Integrate multiple planning documents into one cohesive strategy
Secure Funding – Position the City to access state and federal grants for hazard mitigation and resilience projects
Meet State Requirements – Comply with California's updated planning laws and regulations
Documents & Resources
Draft Safety Element - PDF (coming soon)
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex - PDF
Community Wildfire Protection Plan - PDF
Draft Environmental Justice Element - PDF (coming soon)
Workshop Presentations & Materials (coming soon)
RELATED PROGRAMS & RESOURCES
Dunsmuir Firewise / Fire Safe Committee: Monthly meetings on wildfire preparedness and community fire safety
Emergency Preparedness: Resources and information for residents
Planning Department: General Plan documents and planning projects
Cal OES’s My Hazards Tool: Interactive map showing hazards in your area
Ready for Wildfire: Wildfire preparedness resources
GET INVOLVED
Your input matters! Here's how you can participate:
Attend upcoming workshop and public meetings
Submit written comments on draft documents during public review periods
Complete community surveys when available
Share your experiences and ideas about community safety and resilience
Join the Dunsmuir Firewise / Fire Safe Committee
CONTACT
For more information about the Resilient Dunsmuir Plan or to provide feedback, please contact:
City of Dunsmuir
Laura Hall, Resilience Planner
5902 Dunsmuir Avenue Dunsmuir, CA 96025
Phone: 530-239-1040
Email: laura@dunsmuirca.gov
OR
Blake Michaelsen, Interim City Manager
Address: 5902 Dunsmuir Avenue Dunsmuir, CA 96025
Phone: 530-235-4822
Email: bmichaelsen@dunsmuirca.gov
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.