(Gavin Newsom in 2021 At The Site Of A Burned Down Building)

California

California is scaling up work to prepare, prevent, and mitigate the threat of wildfire – investing in more projects throughout the state to help protect underserved communities and stop wildfire in its tracks.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced new investments today focusing on ramping up defenses around homes, reduce overgrown vegetation, improve evacuation routes for rural communities and more.

He said, “These kinds of projects save lives and livelihoods, and we’re scaling it up. It was work like this that helped communities like South Lake Tahoe and Pollock Pines avert unknowable destruction. Our goal is to stop devastation before it happens – to keep Californians safe, and preserve our communities and shared history.”

The $113 million in new funding, made possible by the $52 billion California Climate Commitment budget, will support 96 wildfire prevention projects across the state – with more than 8 in 10 grants directed towards vulnerable or underserved communities.

Riverside County according to documents received a total of $5,626,083.52. This money includes projects for Fuels Reduction in Sensitive Habitats, San Jacinto Mountain D-space and DDD Tree Removal, Santa Ana River Fire Prevention Project, and the Soboba Fire Hazard Mitigation Project.

View all the projects and awards here.

In response to California’s wildfire prevention investment, CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler said: 

“Investing in communities before a wildfire strikes is a critical component of California’s wildfire strategy. These proactive investments support local projects that protect, engage, and educate communities to increase wildfire prevention and resiliency efforts throughout the state. Wildfire is a year-round reality in California, and even though a historically wet winter was the exception this year, we are always ready for when conditions change and to continue our charge of creating a more wildfire resilient California. We are proud to help further this important and proactive work.”