In light of the ongoing severe winter fire season, California lawmakers are advocating for a significant change in firefighting operations. Legislation aims to convert about 3,000 seasonal firefighters from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to year-round employees, keeping fire response resources active throughout the year. This shift, highlighted by Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire, reflects the increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires driven by climate change. The annual cost for this initiative is projected at $175 million, though funding sources remain unclear.
"More aggressive fires, and an unrelenting year-round wildfire season, demands more aggressive responses. Wildfires don't take three months off." - Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire.
"The transition to full-time staffing would cost the state an estimated $175 million each year. It wasn't immediately clear where those dollars would come from."
"Cal Fire officials have continued to warn that California no longer has a fire season but instead has a year-round threat as human-caused climate change worsens."
"January has highlighted a new reality of climate change, one that demands we fully prepare for year-round, climate-driven disasters."
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