Fire-prone California could lose hundreds of millions of dollars for wildfire prevention

State officials changed the emissions-based wildfire mitigation funding program to a cap-and-invest structure, which analysts estimate will reduce wildfire mitigation funding by $200 million annually. California is spending $1.5 billion from a 2024 voter-approved climate bond on wildfire prevention, with most of the money allocated within three years. An estimate from the Wildfire Solutions Coalition projects funding could fall from routinely pulling more than $600 million per year to about $150 million. Research indicates each dollar spent on vegetation removal prevents about $3.75 in wildfire damage. Advocates warn the funding loss will increase vulnerability to wildfire devastation and urge the next governor to respond.

"State officials voted to change a program that charges polluters for their emissions, resulting in $200 million less for wildfire mitigation each year."

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