California will allocate $135 million through the CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants Programme to support projects aimed at enhancing wildfire protection. Applications are now open for initiatives like fuel reduction and community education. This funding follows a previous $72 million allocation for forest health, part of a total of $2.5 billion invested in wildfire prevention since Governor Newsom took office.
The announcement comes amid reduced resources, with the California National Guard’s Task Force Rattlesnake operating at 40% capacity, exacerbated by federal cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. The new grants will fund practical initiatives that have previously shown success in protecting communities from wildfires.
The Governor’s Office emphasized a broader strategy to bolster wildfire resilience, including expanding CAL FIRE staffing and accelerating vegetation management projects. Additionally, California has added to its aerial firefighting capacity with a second C-130 Hercules airtanker.
Overall, these efforts are framed as essential measures to safeguard Californians against escalating wildfire risks.
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