Beyond the Evacuation Zone: Agricultural Passes and the Wildfire Crisis in California

Abstract

This study evaluates the Agricultural Pass (Ag Pass) program’s perceived effectiveness in facilitating emergency access for agricultural stakeholders during wildfires in the State of California, United States. By employing in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 28 diverse stakeholders in Napa and Sonoma counties, we used thematic qualitative analysis and examined AgPass utilization, identified implementation barriers, and assessed its impact on agricultural resilience. Stakeholders viewed the Ag Pass as essential for maintaining critical agricultural operations by enabling rapid property access and protection, and supporting irrigation, livestock care, and fire suppression, thereby mitigating economic losses during emergencies. Positive interactions with law enforcement and program organizers further enhance its perceived value. However, bureaucratic inefficiencies, inconsistent renewal procedures, fraudulent usage, and inequitable access, particularly for smaller and less-resourced farms, compromise the program's overall effectiveness. In addition, significant gaps in disaster preparedness, including inadequate training and worker health & safety measures, exacerbate operational challenges during wildfire events. We provide policy recommendations aimed at streamlining application processes, enhancing interagency coordination, and improving disaster preparedness to strengthen agricultural resilience in wildfire-prone regions.

Keywords: Wildfire Resilience, California Fires, Disaster Risk Reduction, qualitative analysis