Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $536 million wildfire package. The 2021 Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness Package will allow the state to take urgent action on projects that support wildfire suppression, improve forest build up, and ensure resilience in communities.
Gov. Newsom visited Loafer Creek Recreation Area in Oroville to sign the new legislation. This was his sixth visit in the county since the 2018 Camp Fire. The governor toured ongoing fuel break work where trees burnt in the path of the North Complex fires in September 2020. Crews from Cal Fire-Butte County and Sacramento showed the governor maps of the burn scar and vegetation management plans.
Plans
Gov. Newsom shared parts of the plan including, housing support, more prescribed burns, and increased home hardening. The plan will also help support rural communities and economies using wood products, small business grants, and loans and work with local nonprofits.
The early action plan is part of the state’s overall $1 billion investment in forest health and community fire resilience. The governor allocated $80.74 million in emergency funds for 1,399 additional firefighters with Cal Fire. This will help fuel management and wildfire response efforts. Additionally, the state will expand a task force.
