John Morgan
Assistant Deputy Director, Community Wildfire Planning & Risk Reduction
With more than 21 years of service with CAL FIRE, Chief Morgan brings a wealth of experience in both metropolitan and rural firefighting. Beginning as a volunteer firefighter and advancing steadily through the ranks—from a Seasonal Firefighter at Coarsegold FFS in MMU to Assistant Deputy Director of Community Wildfire Planning and Risk Reduction, John has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to public safety.
Since 2006, Chief Morgan has served as a company officer and, most recently, held the role of Staff Chief with the CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation Division. In these roles, he has led statewide programs in defensible space, home hardening, damage inspection, burn permits, and utility wildfire mitigation. His work has included shaping statewide policy, guiding regulatory development, leading multidisciplinary teams, managing budgets, and providing critical legislative analysis. He has represented CAL FIRE on multiple committees, including the Board of Forestry’s Zone 0 Committee, the CAL Poly WUI Fire Institute Advisory Council, and as Chair of the DivPro Leadership Team, to name a few.
Since 2006, Chief Morgan has served as a company officer and, most recently, held the role of Staff Chief with the CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Community Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation Division. In these roles, he has led statewide programs in defensible space, home hardening, damage inspection, burn permits, and utility wildfire mitigation. His work has included shaping statewide policy, guiding regulatory development, leading multidisciplinary teams, managing budgets, and providing critical legislative analysis. He has represented CAL FIRE on multiple committees, including the Board of Forestry’s Zone 0 Committee, the CAL Poly WUI Fire Institute Advisory Council, and as Chair of the DivPro Leadership Team, to name a few.