Governor Gavin Newsome | Twitter Website
In response to the challenges posed by a hotter and drier climate, California has significantly increased its efforts in forest management and wildfire response. Governor Gavin Newsom has taken decisive actions to enhance the state's wildland and forest resilience, while also allocating substantial resources to improve wildfire response capabilities.
In 2023, California treated over 700,000 acres of land for wildfire resilience. The use of prescribed fires more than doubled from 2021 to 2023. This is part of a broader strategy that includes significant financial investments aimed at bolstering the state's ability to manage wildfires effectively.
The Governor's Budget outlines a total investment of $4 billion towards wildfire resilience, maintaining $2.5 billion in previous commitments and introducing an additional $1.5 billion over several years. Additionally, the state plans to invest $200 million annually through fiscal year 2028-29 in healthy forest initiatives and fire prevention programs.
To further support these efforts, California has launched updated dashboards designed to help residents track the state's progress in wildfire prevention. These tools provide transparency and allow Californians to stay informed about ongoing initiatives.
The state is also prioritizing firefighter wellbeing by implementing shorter workweeks for state firefighters and plans to increase CAL FIRE's workforce with an additional 2,000 firefighters over the next five years.
California's aerial firefighting fleet has seen significant expansion under Governor Newsom's leadership. This includes adding more than 16 helicopters—some equipped for night operations—and expanding five helitack bases. The state now owns seven C-130 air tankers, contributing to what is described as the largest aerial firefighting fleet globally. Recent funding will enable contracting of 24 additional non-state owned firefighting aircraft.
Technological advancements play a crucial role in California's strategy against wildfires. CAL FIRE has doubled its drone usage for tasks such as aerial ignition during prescribed burns and real-time assessments during active fires. The integration of artificial intelligence tools helps detect fires faster, while the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS) provides real-time mapping capabilities.
Partnerships with entities like the U.S. Department of Defense have allowed California access to satellite technology for improved wildfire detection. Investments in LiDAR technology facilitate detailed mapping of high-risk areas, aiding firefighters' navigation through complex terrains.
Lastly, CAL FIRE has enhanced its incident reporting abilities on fire.ca.gov by providing near real-time updates on firefighting aircraft activity, evacuation orders, local shelter information, road closures, and more via interactive maps.
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