SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. California is still grappling with the devastation from last year’s record setting wildfire year.
Over 4 million acres were burned, the most recorded in a year in the state’s history. Thirty-three people lost their lives during the historic blazes.
With another dry winter about half the normal snowpack California Gov. Gavin Newsom jump started wildfire preparedness ahead of wildfire season.
On April 14, using Emergency Fund authorization, Newsom signed a $536 million wildfire package for fire resilience efforts including fuel breaks, forest health projects and home hardening across the state.
With extra funding Cal Fire was able to hire more firefighters for the upcoming fire season.