[Orinda, CA] – Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan announced that Assembly District 16 will receive $5 million from the state General Fund for wildfire prevention and evacuation preparedness projects. The funding is the result of a request submitted earlier this year, in collaboration with local fire districts and regional partners.
The funding could not come at a more critical time. The eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area is among the most wildfire-prone regions in California. Steep terrain, extensive open space, and a limited roadway network create conditions in which a fire can quickly threaten neighborhoods.
The funding will support three projects:
- $2 million to San Ramon Valley Fire to clear built-up dry grass and brush in and around Mount Diablo State Park.
- $2 million to the City of Orinda for regional Community Risk Reduction and Wildland-Urban Interface mitigation, including maintenance of fuel breaks developed in partnership with CAL FIRE, MOFD, EBMUD, the East Bay Regional Park District, and private landowners.
- And $1 million to Contra Costa County for wildfire and evacuation modeling tools, contraflow operations testing, Red Flag Day parking restrictions, and evacuation strategies.
“This is a team effort, and it does not end here. I will keep advocating in Sacramento for the resources our communities need to stay safe ahead of fire season,” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan.
