Cal Poly SLO Students Help Cambria Take Fire Safety to the Next Level
This spring, students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Natural Resources Management Department took a hands-on approach to wildfire resilience by developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for the community of Cambria. Led by Professor Chris Dicus, the course—NR455: Wildland Fire Management and Ecology—brought together 45 students who worked in four dedicated teams to assess risk, identify vulnerable areas, and propose real-world solutions for wildfire mitigation.
Each student group focused on different aspects of community protection, from fuels reduction and defensible space, to evacuation planning and public outreach. The result was a comprehensive CWPP designed not only to meet federal and state standards but to reflect the unique geography, infrastructure, and values of Cambria.
CWPPs are critical tools for wildfire preparedness. They provide guidance for agencies, local governments, and property owners on how to prioritize projects, allocate resources, and build a safer, more fire-adapted community. By partnering with Cal Poly and engaging future fire professionals, Cambria is demonstrating what proactive, community-driven fire planning looks like.
We’re proud to share the student presentations in full. Watch the full video here and the full digital reports for each Group:
🎥 NR455 Cal Poly CWPP for Cambria – Final Presentations
This kind of collaboration between academic institutions and local communities is a powerful model. Thank you to Professor Dicus and the hardworking students of NR455 for investing your time and talent into making Cambria—and our region—more wildfire-resilient.
