As California braces for the peak of fire season, the California Fire Foundation (CFF), with the backing of The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation), has awarded $750,000 in wildfire safety grants.
This funding was allocated to 55 local fire departments, agencies, and community groups in Northern and Central California.
According to The PG&E Foundation, the grants are intended to enhance disaster preparedness and response in areas identified as having extreme wildfire risk.
The grants, part of an ongoing initiative that has been running for seven years, were distributed following a month-long application process.
Funds will be used to acquire protective gear, reduce fire hazards, and educate the public on fire safety.
The PG&E Foundation has contributed $1.4 million to the broader Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program (WSPP), which includes these grants.
The goal is to raise awareness and equip underserved communities in high fire-risk zones.
Rick Martinez, Executive Director of the California Fire Foundation, said: “The seven-year-long collaboration between the Foundation and PG&E has been instrumental in protecting our communities and educating residents on the ever-present danger of wildfire disasters through the Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program.” The funding also addresses critical needs, including acquiring new fire safety equipment and supporting public education efforts.
The 2024 grants yielded multiple outcomes aimed at improving wildfire safety.
This year, grantees used the funding to secure 7,560 pieces of personal protective equipment, such as helmets, gloves, and boots.
Additionally, over 1.5 million pounds of tree limbs and other combustible materials were removed from high-risk areas.
Other outcomes include 22 prescribed burns and education campaigns across various counties in California.
The educational efforts reached over 1.8 million residents in several counties, including Alameda, Fresno, and Sonoma.
The Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program extends beyond funding to include public education in multiple languages.
The program’s outreach includes advertising and educational campaigns in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong.
These efforts ensure that fire safety messages reach diverse communities, particularly in high-threat fire areas.
Mark Quinlan, PG&E’s Senior Vice President of Wildfire, Emergency & Operations, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “Wildfire resilience efforts are best developed at the community level with education, awareness, and resources like those provided by the Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program.”
As reported by The PG&E Corporation Foundation, the California Fire Foundation has awarded $750,000 in wildfire safety grants to 55 local organizations in Northern and Central California.
The grants are aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and fire safety efforts in high-risk communities.
Funding supports projects such as acquiring personal protective equipment, conducting vegetation management, and educating the public on fire safety.
This initiative is part of the broader Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program, which has received $1.4 million in funding for 2024.
Over 1.8 million residents across various counties will potentially benefit from these efforts, which include prescribed burns, hazard removal, and multilingual safety campaigns.
