This year, PFT was the lead sponsor for SB 1101 authored by Senator Monique Limon, and was pivotal in the passage of AB 2276, authored by Assemblymember Jim Wood. With remarkable bi-partisan support, both bills were signed into law by Governor Newsom this fall. They make for significant improvements in state regulatory processes governing fuels management and prescribed burning as well as advances in on-the-ground management in California’s fire-adapted forests and large landscapes.

A critical focus is expediting significantly larger scale prescribed burns to lower the risk of high intensity, catastrophic burns. SB 1101 does just that by streamlines CAL FIRE’s contracting and procurement processes for implementing prescribed burns, making it easier for public and private landowners to implement the large prescribed burns at the scales needed. By fostering greater collaboration between state, federal, tribal, and local entities, SB 1101 also promotes a more coordinated approach to fire management. The bill, with unanimous bipartisan support, underscored the state’s commitment to increasing the amount of “good fire” on the ground, thereby improving both public safety and ecosystem resilience. We are extremely grateful to Senator Limon for her leadership on this issue.

AB 2276 makes it easier for private landowners to expand the scope and scale of their fuels reduction and expands the positive ecological impact of these activities. It builds upon the prior Forest Fire Prevention Exemption, renaming it as the Forest Resilience Exemption and expands the scope of forest management projects and consolidates several prior exemptions. Overall, this simplifies implementation of fuels reduction projects. Under this new approach, landowners can also create larger fuel breaks and reduce forest density over wider areas, essential practices for reducing wildfire risk. The bill also supports the restoration of naturally oak dominated areas which have been reduced by the encroachment of small conifer trees due to decades of fire suppression. This is especially valuable for two key species, the California Black Oak (Quercus kellogii) and Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana). These species were specifically managed for by indigenous peoples, and these oaks provide essential food for many California wildlife species. We were very pleased to partner with the California Forestry Association, a key advocate for California forests, on this bill.

PFT’s continued advocacy for beneficial fire and forest resilience policies is helping to create a future where California’s forests can thrive in the face of climate change, all while reducing the danger that massive ab2276 conflagrations have placed upon our communities.