Seven state senators want to invest $1 billion in additional wildfire prevention efforts this year.
The funds would add to investments already being made to protect vulnerable communities.
As of now, California has allocated $536 million toward wildfire prevention efforts, but that’s not enough according to the State Senate Wildfire Working Group.
"Another one billion dollars will be invested in order to put more puts on the ground with CAL FIRE, thousands of acres of additional vegetation cleared around communities," North Coast State Senator Mike McGuire said, who also noted that the group’s package of 11 bills calls for the removal of millions of dead and dying trees and additional fire breaks.
The so-called "Blueprint for a Fire Safe California" also includes funding to help homeowners and businesses in high fire areas afford insurance.
State Senator Monique Limon said the drought will only make firefighting efforts more difficult this year. "These fires are getting bigger and, with drier conditions we are absolutely seeing, harder to manage," Limon said.
The 11 wildfire bills will be introduced on the Senate floor next week.
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