Help shape Leesville’s Wildfire Protection Plan

The Leesville Fire Department is teaming up with local agencies to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The wildfires of 2023 were a stark reminder that our region is vulnerable—and we’re committed to being ready next time.

Your input matters. Please take a few minutes to complete the wildfire preparedness survey by Friday, August 15. Your feedback could play a crucial role in protecting our community.

Go to Survey at surveymonkey.com/r/88SCD53.

Read more about the project at: leesvillela.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=172

WHY DOES LEESVILLE NEED A CWPP?
According to Global Forest Watch, 76% of Vernon Parish is forested – that amounts to 151,000 hectares of forest.
According to the 2020 Census, Leesville has a population of 5,649
Leesville’s municipal limits encompass 5.49 square miles

RISK
Leesville has a higher wildfire risk to their community than 87.1% of Louisiana communities.
The 2023 wildfires destroyed 30,000 acres of land across Vernon and Beauregard Parishes, consuming homes, structures, and logging equipment.

HURRICANE LAURA
In 2020, this storm ravaged Vernon Parish as a Category 2 hurricane, causing $1.1 billion in damage, resulting in the loss of 158,000 acres of timber.

BUILDINGS
There are around 5,000 commercial and residential structures in the city, totaling $688 million in value.

COMMERCE
Over $114 million in forestry-related products are produced from Vernon Parish timber each year.

DID YOU KNOW?
Areas where human development meets or intermingles with undeveloped wildland vegetation are zoned “Wildland Urban Interface” (WUI)
91.7% of Leesville’s population live in areas designated as WUI
45.2% of residents living in WUI areas are minorities