A review of California's state budget shows that Governor Gavin Newsom cut funding for wildfire and forest resilience by over $100 million prior to devastating fires in the state. The budget, approved in June for the 2024-25 fiscal year, eliminated funds from several programs aimed at fire prevention.
The California fires have destroyed more than 10,000 buildings in Los Angeles and remain uncontrolled. Specific cuts included $5 million from Cal Fire, which affected spending on fuel reduction teams, as well as other reductions from various programs, including $28 million from state conservancies, $12 million from a "home hardening" program, $8 million dedicated to monitoring and research, $4 million from a legacy program for forest management, and $3 million for an inter-agency forest data hub.
In response to the criticism surrounding these cuts, Newsom's communications director described the claims as false. She noted that the governor has expanded firefighting resources significantly since taking office in 2019, doubling the firefighting teams and building a large aerial firefighting fleet. Her comments highlighted overall increases in funding and personnel for wildfire management over the years, though she did not address the recent budget cuts directly.
Cal Fire has not yet commented on the situation as of Friday evening. The ongoing fires, such as the Kenneth Fire in West Hills, are causing significant damage and loss of life, raising concerns about the state's preparedness for such disasters. The context surrounding the funding cuts amid ongoing wildfires continues to generate discussion and scrutiny.
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