Posted: September 24, 2025
By Ken Jenkins, Vice President, Water Resources Planning and Sustainability
As California communities face the impact of escalating wildfires, climate resiliency is more important than ever. While fires are a natural part of the ecosystem process, climate change has heightened the threat and effects of wildfires, creating longer and more extreme fire seasons. A recent study indicates that compounding effects of climate change and wildland-urban interface expansion quadruple the likelihood of extreme-impact wildfires in California.
At Cal Water, we recognize that to continue delivering safe, clean, and reliable water, we must proactively implement fire hardening measures and work with our communities to mitigate the risks of wildfires and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
To help address the factors that contribute to the spread and intensity of wildfires, we set goals to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We are on track to achieve our target of reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 63% by 2035 from a 2021 base year, having achieved a 23.5% reduction in 2024 from our 2021 base year. Our GHG mitigation efforts included using 13% renewable energy, sourced from onsite solar, renewable diesel, and a utility green rate program.
Our efforts to address climate change risks also include infrastructure projects and upgrades intended to prevent power loss at critical facilities, protect worker safety, and increase reliability during wildfires and flood events. Additionally, we conduct annual vegetation management across our districts to reduce the risk of damage to our facilities.
To better respond to wildfire risks, we have worked to harden our systems to help continue delivering water, even in an active emergency.
- Fire-hardening infrastructure: We regularly inspect and upgrade infrastructure, installing permanent generators and positioning portable generators at key facilities to help our infrastructure continue operating if the power is shut off. We also upgrade pumps, pipes, and treatment plants to increase resiliency.
- Emergency response planning: Collaborating closely with local governments and community leaders, fire departments, and other first responders is critical—before an emergency occurs. At Cal Water, we conduct annual community trainings to coordinate and prepare for emergencies.
- Wildfire task force: Formed in 2019, our task force guides emergency preparedness and the company’s efforts to harden our infrastructure. Since 2020, the team has evaluated our entire water system and identified necessary wildfire hardening projects, which led to investing $50 million in pipelines, pumps, and emergency generators.
At Cal Water, we also encourage customers to be water-wise and fire-wise every day. In fire-prone areas, creating a fire-resistant landscape is an effective way to mitigate the vulnerability of houses and properties to fires. Through this landscaping approach, customers can proactively save water while enhancing their home’s protection. Cal Fire provides the following guidance:
- Design a fire-resistant landscape: Create an open space by avoiding crowded vegetation and swapping oily plants with fire-resistant and drought-tolerant plants
- Establish a defensible safe zone: Clear all flammable and dead vegetation at least 30 feet from your home or property. For an additional 70 feet, mow grass to four inches.
- Perform upkeep to preserve your yard: Conduct routine maintenance at least once or twice per month, using appropriate fire-wise plants in optimal locations
The increasing threat of wildfires demands a collective effort. We are committed to continuing to deliver safe, clean, and reliable water while taking steps to prepare through fire hardening and proactive climate risk mitigation. We encourage everyone to embrace water-wise and fire-wise practices, building a more resilient California together.
To learn more, visit our Be Water Wise and Fire Wise page.
