Gov. Newsom cut fire budget, Cal Fire funding by $100M months before lethal California fires

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to cut funding for wildfire and forest resilience by over $100 million in last year’s state budget has raised concerns about the state’s ability to combat devastating wildfires. The budget, signed in June and covering the 2024-25 fiscal year, saw a reduction of $101 million from seven crucial “wildfire and forest resilience” programs, according to a report from Newsweek.

The impact of these budget cuts is evident in the ongoing California fires, which have already destroyed more than 10,000 buildings in the Los Angeles area and continue to pose a threat to residents and wildlife. Cal Fire, the state’s firefighting agency, faced a $5 million decrease in spending on fuel reduction teams, affecting critical vegetation management work carried out by the California National Guard.

Other significant cuts included a $28 million reduction from multiple state conservancies focused on expanding wildfire resilience, a $12 million cut from a “home hardening” experiment aimed at protecting homes from wildfires, an $8 million cut from monitoring and research spending primarily allocated to Cal Fire and state universities, a $4 million cut from the forest legacy program encouraging landowners to manage their properties, and a $3 million cut from funding for an inter-agency forest data hub.

In response to criticism regarding the budget cuts’ impact on wildfire response, Newsom’s director of communications, Izzy Gardon, defended the governor’s actions, calling the allegations a “ridiculous lie.” Gardon highlighted Newsom’s efforts to double the size of the firefighting force, establish the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet, and significantly increase forest management initiatives since taking office in 2019.

Despite the pushback, concerns remain about the potential consequences of reduced funding for wildfire prevention and response efforts. Cal Fire’s silence on the matter further underscores the urgency of addressing the state’s wildfire challenges.

As California grapples with the aftermath of devastating wildfires and confronts the looming threat of future blazes, the debate over budget priorities and resource allocation in wildfire management continues. It is essential for state officials to prioritize adequate funding and support for wildfire prevention and response to safeguard communities and ecosystems from the destructive impact of wildfires.