Preparing Our Communities And Homes For Wildfires

Dear Friends,

The devastating wildfires this past January in Los Angeles demonstrate that climate change has made wildfire season year round, and the threat of fires means that our state must have the tools and the resources necessary to meet any crisis.

I want to share an update on key steps the state has taken to bolster wildfire mitigation and how we’re continuing to strengthen our efforts.

We have made significant progress over the past several years.

With my previous leadership on the Budget Subcommittee on Energy, Environmental Protection and Resources, we have doubled CAL FIRE funding to more than $4 billion, which is being invested in forest management and wildfire prevention and expanding the CAL FIRE firefighting force to over 12,000 personnel. We have also built an unmatched aerial firefighting capacity - the largest civilian aerial firefighting fleet in the world.

Because California’s wildfire season no longer follows a traditional timeline, we need year-round readiness. Just the past week, I joined my Senate colleagues and dozens of CAL FIRE firefighters to announce the Fight for Firefighters Act so that our fire trucks, stations, bases and planes are fully staffed 365 days a year instead of seasonally.

I will be introducing a bill to create a comprehensive framework for evaluating wildfire mitigation investments. This bill will improve coordination between state, federal, utility, and private wildfire prevention initiatives and ensure wildfire spending delivers maximum protection for communities in the most cost-effective way.

Home hardening and wildfire mitigation are crucial to prevent wildfire crises. To help residents stay informed and prepared, I am convening a virtual town hall focused on home hardening strategies and wildfire preparedness. I invite you to join this discussion on practical steps to protect your property and the latest resources available. You can RSVP here.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

5:00 pm to 6:00 pm PST

Thank you for staying engaged in this critical conversation. We look forward to seeing you at the town hall.

Sincerely,

Josh Becker

Senate District 13