The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is an emergency response and resource protection department. CAL FIRE protects lives, property and natural resources from fire; responds to emergencies of all types; and protects and preserves timberlands, wildlands, and urban forests. The department’s various programs work together using ongoing assessments of the condition of natural resources, while considering the challenges of an increasing population, to plan protection strategies for California. Department personnel and equipment are a familiar sight throughout the state with responsibility for protecting more than 31 million acres of California’s privately owned wildlands and providing emergency services across the state to local government cooperators through agreements with districts, cities, and counties.