CAL FIRE Releases California Forest Health Assessment
The state's first comprehensive forest and rangeland report tracks more than 50 indicators of wildfire, tree mortality, water, and wildlife habitat.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Environmental
Live Poll
Do you think wildfire risk in your area is getting better or worse?
CAL FIRE has released the California Forest and Rangeland Assessment, which brings together data for more than 50 indicators on wildfire severity, tree mortality, water resources, and wildlife habitat. The assessment is available on the FRAP webpage and will be released in batches.
Why it matters
Many of California's forests are overcrowded and stressed after decades of fire suppression combined with a warming, drying climate. The data is intended to guide forest health, fuels reduction, and reforestation decisions across the state.
The assessment tracks more than 50 indicators across forests and rangelands, which cover nearly half of California. The full compiled report is not expected until Q2 2027, so some findings are still being released in batches.
The players
CAL FIRE
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is the state agency responsible for wildfire prevention, suppression, and forest management across California.
The details
CAL FIRE's assessment combines long-term research and monitoring from state, federal, tribal, academic, and local partners. The agency is increasing the pace and scale of forest health and fuels reduction projects, including thinning dense forests, prescribed fire, and Indigenous cultural burning, and is expanding reforestation where severe wildfire has prevented natural regrowth.
Timeline
Final compiled assessment report expected in Q2 2027.
Assessment data is being released in batches ahead of the final report.
Big Picture
The assessment is published through the Fire and Resource Assessment Program, extending that program's long-running role in compiling California's forest and fire data. It marks a shift toward a single, comprehensive statewide view of forest health tied to active fuels reduction and reforestation work.
Residents in fire-prone areas may see more forest thinning, prescribed burns, and reforestation projects as CAL FIRE expands its work. The published data also gives the public direct access to the condition of forests and rangelands near them.
The takeaway
Forest health in California depends on managing overcrowding and reforesting burned areas as well as fighting fires. The assessment gives the public a data-based way to follow whether those efforts are working.
What happens next
The remaining batches of the assessment are expected to be released before the final compiled report in Q2 2027.
Further reading
For related coverage of forest conditions and ecosystem health, see Environmental news on California.
Live Poll
Do you think wildfire risk in your area is getting better or worse?
