Redding Today

Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) announced the successful securing of nearly $30 million in CAL FIRE funding for California’s 1st Senate District. This initiative aims to enhance forest resiliency and protect communities from catastrophic wildfires.

“For far too long our forests have been undermanaged due to California’s dangerously stringent environmental laws,” said Senator Dahle. “After years of this sorely misguided approach, our forests are overgrown and are a major fire risk. This critical funding will help to improve forest health, reduce carbon from wildfire smoke, and ultimately save lives and property."

The CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants Program has allocated funds to various projects within the district. Nearly $6 million is designated for thinning fuels near Susanville and removing hazard trees from the Dixie Fire area. Approximately $5 million will go to the Glenn and Tehama Resource Conservation Districts for community protection efforts. Butte County will receive nearly $1.5 million to improve evacuation routes and sustain its chipper program, while Shasta County is set to receive $3.5 million for protecting Redding, Shasta Lake, and the Igo Ono Community Services District.

CAL FIRE's Wildfire Prevention Grants Program targets fire resilience projects across the state, with most funding directed towards low-income and disadvantaged communities.

“Our Fire Safe Councils and local governments will be able to use this funding to complete critical fire prevention and vegetation management projects,” added Dahle. “I appreciate their work to keep our neighbors safe.”

California's 1st Senate District includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Sierra, Siskiyou, Shasta counties as well as portions of Tehama, Butte, Colusa, and Glenn counties.