Adam RollinsThe state of California will invest $135 million to support wildfire prevention projects statewide, with grant applications due by Aug. 6.
The Wildfire Prevention Grants Program (WPGP) delivers funding to local projects that reduce hazardous fuels and support wildfire prevention, planning and education. Recipients may also use funds to improve public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In accordance with the program, funded activities must be completed by Feb. 15, 2029.
Hazardous fuels reduction projects clear, control and maintain vegetation in critical locations, reducing the risk of wildfire, wildfire intensity and rate of spread. Key fuel reduction initiatives include creating fuel breaks in select locations, removing ladder fuels, maintaining existing fuels reduction projects, selectively removing trees and modifying vegetation near roadways.
Wildfire prevention planning activities revolve around wildfire risk and related mapping. Selected projects will focus on creating or updating strategic wildfire planning documents, including evacuation plans, community wildfire protection plans, local hazard mitigation plans, safety elements and wildfire prevention or mitigation plans.
Additionally, entities may use funding to develop wildfire prevention education and outreach programs. These may include workshops, meetings, materials creation and other educational activities designed to spread knowledge and awareness for reducing wildfires, mitigating property losses and making communities more resilient.
Entities that are eligible to apply include:
- State agencies.
- Federal agencies.
- Native American Tribes.
- Joint Powers Authority if all entities are eligible applicants.
- Local agencies such as cities, counties, fire protections districts and water districts.
- Certified local conservation corps.
- Designated Fire Safe Councils.
- Qualifying nonprofit organizations.
Eligible costs listed under the WPGP predominantly revolve around tree removal and operations support. These include removing dead, dying, diseased or hazardous trees that pose imminent threats to public areas and infrastructure. Trees on private property are also included as viable projects.
To better support the removal process, recipients may finance essential services, including contracted tree removal, transportation, holding site fees and disposal. Additional costs that qualify for support include costs associated with equipment, thinning contractors, fuel, maintenance and regulatory requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.
California wildfires seasons are historically dangerous and destructive, resulting in thousands of structures destroyed and residents displaced. Earlier this year, a series of 14 wildfires burned through the Los Angeles metro area and San Diego County. In response, this batch of funding builds on $72 million the governor allocated last month to support forest health projects across the state in response to increasingly catastrophic wildfires, both recent and historic.
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