CAL FIRE is ramping up staffing levels, particularly in the wake of last month’s lightning that caused over 110,000 strikes and burned nearly 29,000 acres.

The National Weather Service predicts thunderstorms through next week, with a high chance of dry lightning, which can spark new fires.

CAL FIRE says they are preparing with more staffing, additional resources in both Northern and Southern California, including extra fire crews, reserve engines, and command centers.

CAL FIRE Chief Joe Tyler urges Californians to stay alert and follow safety measures, including seeking shelter during storms and reporting any signs of smoke or fire immediately.

For wildfire preparedness, community members are encouraged to pack emergency go-bags and sign up for local alerts.

For more information on wildfire preparedness, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov.

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That money comes from Proposition 4, the November ballot measure that authorized a $10 billion bond to pay for climate-related projects such as water systems and wildfire mitigation.

In his January budget proposal, Gov. Gavin Newsom recommended that $325 million of the bond money should be allocated in the upcoming fiscal year to a variety of wildfire prevention programs. The remainder would be spent over the next five years. 

But Democratic Assemblymember Steve Bennett, chair of the budget subcommittee on climate, energy and transportation, told the administration in a hearing on Wednesday that the state should pursue a focused strategy to make the most use of limited resources.

“It can’t be a little bit here, and a little bit here, and a little bit here,” said Bennett, who represents Oxnard. “We need a comprehensive plan to say these are the resources we have; by linking these things together, this is how we could maximize our effectiveness.”

Robyn Fennig, assistant director for Hazard Mitigation for the state’s Office of Emergency Services,  described the proposal for the upcoming fiscal year as one part of a broader strategy that might include trying to secure matching federal funds.

Bennett also noted that the state faces an enormous challenge to address the threats from climate change. 

“There has been a sea change in terms of what’s happening as a result of climate change,” Bennett said. “The home insurance crisis was serious, but it’s now going to be unmanageable for California if we don’t find a way to decrease our losses when these wildfires sweep it near or into communities.”

State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant, defended the administration’s approach.

“I completely agree that [home-hardening] has to be a focal point, but our strategy has to be doing all of these things together,” he told lawmakers. “If we’re not managing the forest, we’re going to have large forest fires that burn right into our communities. ”

The bond measure language, approved by the Legislature last year, offers some flexibility on how to spend the money, Rachel Ehlers, a policy analyst with the Legislative Analyst’s Office, said at the hearing. 

But that flexibility leaves some questions for lawmakers, she said, flagging a  proposal in the governor’s budget plan to add an additional $9 million to a pilot program that gives homeowners financial assistance to make their homes more fire-resistant.

“Do you want the funding to go deep and have fewer structures that are protected, but have more of them covered? Or do you want it wide, where you’re giving smaller grants that won’t protect the whole structure, but maybe more properties get access to it? What regions of the state do you want to focus on?”

For the pilot program, established in 2019,the administration’s approach was to target the most vulnerable communities, Berlant said. 

Six counties currently are participating in it, based on factors including population health and age, as well as wildfire risk and other climate data. The state reports 17 homes have completed the fire-proofing process and another 23 are in progress. The additional money could expand the program to two more counties.

The selection process could be similar for one of the new programs proposed under the Prop. 4 funding: providing financial assistance to vulnerable Californians to create a five-foot zone around their home that could protect it from burning down. 

“You talked about, how do we prioritize? We can’t help everybody,” said Berlant. “We can educate everybody, but those that are most vulnerable who can’t physically do this work, who can’t financially afford to do this work, this program will provide funding to assist them.” 

The administration noted that Newsom’s budget proposal is a work in progress — one that was drafted prior to the Southern California wildfires.

“I recognize we have to do all the above and I recognize it is fiendishly difficult to try to figure out, “Do we do 10% here, etcetera there,” Bennett said at the hearing. “In my mind, there has not been enough focus yet on (home) hardening and I think we’re starting to recognize that.” 

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Board of Supervisors is expected to authorize Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Chief Bill Weiser to close access to multiple outdoor recreational locations for the duration of the Southern California Wildfire Season to minimize public safety risks.

The closure was slated to begin Tuesday through the fire season.

Cal Fire regularly closes designated grounds in the central and southwest portions of the county — typically from June to November.

The 2024 closures would take effect on June 1, according to preliminary statements by Cal Fire officials.

“Due to the potential for large damaging human-caused fires, the county fire chief has determined these areas should be closed, except on public roadways and on inhabited areas of private property within the closure areas,” the statement said. “The potential for large damaging fires … this year may be enhanced by the extreme vegetation growth experienced throughout Riverside County.”

Since the rainy season, wildflower overgrowth and blooms have covered previously open trails, especially in the western half of the county.

According to Cal Fire, wildfires in any of the proposed closure locations would be “difficult to manage, given their terrain and remoteness, “officials said.

The following sites would fall under the county’s closure order:

• Bautista Canyon, southeast of Hemet;
• Eagle Canyon, between Lake Mathews and the county landfill, just north of Cajalco Road;
• Indian Canyon and North Mountain, around San Jacinto;
• the Ramona Bowl, south of Hemet;
• Steel Peek, northwest of Meadowbrook, due west of Good Hope and south of Gavilan Hills; and
• Whitewater Canyon, near Cabazon.

The Ramona Bowl would remain accessible between sunrise and noon daily, with the area off limits any other time of day, according to officials.

Still, by reducing foot and off-road vehicle traffic in each location, the chances of a wildfire starting are much slimmer, according to the fire department.

Hikers will be able to see easily marked closure signs at trail entry points to warn potential violators of fines and other penalties.

First offenses usually result in a minimum $100 ticket.

Residents who live in the area of a closure would be permitted to come and go as they please.

The closures are usually lifted at year’s end but can be rescinded before then by the chief, depending on the timing of winter rains.

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