Dear Friend,
As we all know, the threat of wildfires has become a growing concern for most of us in California. What was once a 3-4 month “wildfire season” has now become a year-round threat. The need for proper preparation and resilience in the face of these dangerous events has never been more urgent.
In response, the state has significantly ramped up its efforts to enhance wildfire prevention and resilience. Through recent legislation and strategic budget allocations, the state is dedicating millions of dollars to wildfire risk reduction, forest health, and fire prevention. This includes $200 million annually from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and $3.6 billion over the next nine years aimed at funding projects with state agencies like CalFire Additionally, the legislature recently passed, and the Governor signed, ABx1-4 and SBx1-3 to provide another $2.5 billion in recovery firestorm relief.
This email is the first in a series of updates I will be sharing to keep you informed about the ongoing state efforts to help mitigate wildfire risks and ensure that our communities are better prepared. A summary of recent state wildfire and forest resilience funding may be found here. While the state is strengthening its commitment to support county and local efforts, it’s important to also connect with your city or town to understand those efforts and plans. Local and county officials play a critical role in leading wildfire threat reduction and managing evacuation efforts.
Preparation is key, and these actions are specifically designed to address this challenge head-on. I will continue to advocate at the state level for stronger wildfire resilience in our communities, ensuring our first responders have the proven tools and funding they need to keep us safe.
Thank you for taking an active interest in this important work. It is an honor to represent you in Sacramento.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
Assemblymember, 16th District