California expands wildfire funding amid federal resource concerns
Iain Hoey
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Wildfire grant funding announced amid ongoing resource pressure
The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom has reported that California will make $135 million available through the CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants Programme to fund new and existing projects that aim to protect communities from wildfire.
According to the Office, applications are now open for the grants, which support local initiatives including fuel reduction, community wildfire protection planning, and public education.
The Governor’s Office stated that this additional funding follows a $72 million forest health announcement made in June, as part of the $2.5 billion California has allocated to wildfire prevention since Governor Newsom took office.
The announcement comes at a time when, according to the Governor’s Office, federal cuts to the US Forest Service and the deployment of National Guard units to Los Angeles have reduced the availability of state firefighting resources.
The Office said the California National Guard’s Task Force Rattlesnake is operating at around 40 percent capacity, which has added pressure to state-led firefighting operations.
New funding to support local prevention and planning
The Governor’s Office explained that CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Prevention Grants will support a range of on-the-ground initiatives that contribute to slowing fire spread and protecting lives and property.
In Los Angeles County in 2025, wildfire prevention grants helped fund proactive vegetation management and defensible space projects that protected historic structures and residential homes.
In Sonoma County in 2024, more than 300 acres of shaded fuel breaks were created using grant funding. The Office noted that these fuel breaks slowed fire spread, assisted firefighter operations, and enabled safe evacuations.
California State Fire Marshal Chief Daniel Berlant said: “These examples demonstrate how grant funds are effectively helping to improve wildfire resilience in California communities through thoughtful planning and preventative work funded through CAL FIRE grants.”
“Over the last five years, over $500 million has been awarded to over 490 projects across the state.”
California outlines broader wildfire resilience strategy
The Governor’s Office noted that the funding programme is part of a broader strategy to increase California’s wildfire resilience.
Since 2019, CAL FIRE has expanded its staffing by an average of 1,800 full-time and 600 seasonal personnel annually.
Over the next four years, the agency plans to recruit thousands more personnel, including firefighters, natural resource professionals, and support staff.
The Office stated that these increases are intended to meet the growing need for fire readiness as California experiences drier and hotter climate conditions.
Fast-tracked projects and aerial firefighting fleet expansion
According to the Governor’s Office, 20 new vegetation management projects covering nearly 8,000 acres have recently been approved for fast-tracking under a new regulatory streamlining initiative.
This follows an emergency proclamation issued in March which enables forest management projects to proceed more quickly in high-risk areas.
The state has also introduced additional firefighting aircraft capacity. Governor Newsom’s Office announced that California’s second C-130 Hercules airtanker is now operational.
The aircraft joins what the Office calls the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet.
Federal actions impact state preparedness, says Governor’s Office
The Governor’s Office directly attributed the reduced capacity of the California National Guard’s firefighting support crews to actions taken by President Donald Trump.
The Office said the “illegal militarisation” of Los Angeles had removed critical personnel from Task Force Rattlesnake.
The statement added that combined with what it characterised as “dangerous cuts” to the US Forest Service, these moves could increase risks for communities across California.
Governor Newsom said: “We won’t let Trump stand in the way of protecting Californians from catastrophic wildfire.
“We’re making millions more available to fund projects that are proven to keep communities safe.”
California expands wildfire funding amid federal resource concerns: Summary
California will provide $135 million in new wildfire prevention grant funding.
The funding will be delivered through CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Programme.
The announcement was made by the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Eligible projects include vegetation management, defensible space, and public education.
The programme follows a $72 million forest health funding announcement in June.
Since 2019, California has invested $2.5 billion in wildfire prevention.
Task Force Rattlesnake is operating at 40 percent capacity, according to the Governor’s Office.
The Governor’s Office attributed reduced state support to President Trump’s use of National Guard personnel.
Over 490 projects have been funded in the past five years through CAL FIRE grants.
California has also expanded its aerial firefighting fleet with a second C-130 Hercules airtanker.