California Awards $19.5 Million for Multi-benefit Wildfire Resilience Projects Across the State
California Awards $19.5 Million for Multi-benefit Wildfire Resilience Projects Across the State
California state boards and conservancies are continuing to distribute funding in all reaches of the state to protect communities and promote wildfire and landscape resilience.
June 5, 2026 – Sierra Nevada Conservancy Awards $4.5 Million in Wildfire Resilience and Recreation Grants: The Sierra Nevada Conservancy approved nearly $1.5 million to new early action wildfire-resilience projects and just over $3 million projects to help boost recreation and tourism in the Sierra-Cascade.
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- In Nevada County, the city of Grass Valley was awarded $720,000 to treat approximately 240 acres of forested land in Wolf Creek, Boston Ravine, and other locations in the southernmost portion of the town.
- The Mariposa County Fire Safe Council was awarded $756,179 to reduce fuels on 192 acres in the southwest region of Mariposa County near the communities of Ahwahnee, Nipinnawasee, and Ponderosa Basin.
- $3,153,998 in funding from the Sustainable Recreation, Tourism, and Equitable Outdoor Access Directed Grant Program will help with planning and implementing of work to improve and restore trails and facilities in Butte, Kern, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Tehama, and Trinity counties.
June 2, 2026 – Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Awards $7 Million to Wildfire Resilience Projects in the LA Area: The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) Governing Board awarded over $12 million across four projects. These projects will increase wildfire resilience in some of the highest need areas within the RMC’s territory ahead of wildfire season, provide safe-healthy passage, and increase biodiversity across South Bay Cities. The projects include:
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- $3,520,000 to the National Forest Foundation for San Gabriel Mountains Wildfire Resilience Project which will implement hazardous fuel reduction on priority sites across the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
- $1,600,000 to the South Bay Council of Governments for the South Bay Biodiversity Plan and Demonstration project which will deliver actionable biodiversity recommendations for local governments and educate residents, while advancing co-benefits such as water conservation, stormwater capture, heat mitigation, and habitat restoration.
- $2,238,000 to the Catalina Island Conservancy for Pre-Fire Intervention and Nature-Based Solutions Project to reduce wildfire risk and create buffer zones on Catalina Island.
May 28, 2026 – CA Wildlife Conservation Board Approves $8 Million for a Multi-Benefit Project in Alpine County: The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) awarded an $8 million grant to Western Rivers Conservancy and Alpine County to acquire 1,688 acres near Markleeville to increase wildfire resilience, protect wet meadows, springs, riparian habitat, mixed conifer forest and sage-steppe in the Eastern Sierra. Alpine County will manage the property for conservation, including continued grazing to help reduce fuel loads and support wildfire resilience, and year-round public access, including hiking, fishing, hunting and winter recreation.
CAL FIRE and SNC Announce Availability of Forest Health Research and Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Funding
CAL FIRE and SNC Announce Availability of Forest Health Research and Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Funding
June 5, 2026 – Sierra Nevada Conservancy Starts New Landscape and Wildfire Resilience Grant Programs: The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Board approved new guidelines for its Wildfire and Forest Resilience program and guidelines for a new Landscape Grant Program that will increase the pace and scale of forest health and community protection.
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- The 2026 Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program focuses on funding high-impact forest health planning or implementation projects that deliver strong, direct benefits to communities, critical infrastructure, or unique natural resources.
- The new Landscape Grant Program is part of SNC’s Landscape Investment Strategy and funds projects and activities that are designed to address ecological and community priorities, such as forest health, wildfire resilience, and watershed protection across a large landscape. Unlike many SNC grant programs, the Landscape Grant Program, also funded through the Climate Bond, does not have an open application process. Instead, SNC will identify potential Investment Ready Landscapes and collaboratives through an internal evaluation process based on regional expertise and longstanding engagement with partners and will invite selected collaboratives to participate in the program in fall 2026.
June 11, 2026 – CAL FIRE Announces Availability of $7.5 Million for Forest Health Research Grant Funding: CAL FIRE announced the availability of $4.5 million in California Climate Investments (CCI) funding and $3 million in Proposition 4 California Climate Bond (Prop 4) funding through the Forest Health Research Grants Program. These grants are intended to support research that delivers direct benefits to landowners, resource agencies, fire management organizations, and decision-makers across the state. Proposals are due 3:00 PM PST on July 30, 2026.
California Launches First Statewide Mass Timber Coalition
California Launches First Statewide Mass Timber Coalition
June 11, 2026 – The State of California announced the formation of the state’s first California Mass Timber Coalition, a new public-private partnership designed to accelerate the adoption of mass timber construction, drive forest health and wildfire mitigation efforts, and accelerate economic development across the state’s rural and urban communities. The Coalition brings together state and federal agencies, county and local governments, research institutions, industry representatives, forest sector organizations, non-profit organizations, and community partners to support the establishment of an in-state mass timber industry, advancing manufacturing and climate-smart construction with the goal of building resilient communities and advancing California’s forest health goals and climate initiatives. The Coalition will also work to establish state policy and regulations that drive positive outcomes for both utilization and manufacturing of in-state mass timber, as well as industry development and market growth.
Task Force Science Advisory Panel Releases New Report on the Latest Research Guiding California's Wildfire Resilience Efforts
Task Force Science Advisory Panel Releases Synthesis of Latest Research Guiding California's Wildfire Resilience Efforts
June 5, 2026 – The Task Force’s Science Advisory Panel released A Science-based Synthesis to Safeguard People, Communities, and Ecosystems from Wildfire in California (Science Synthesis), which provides a strong scientific framework for the Task Force’s 5-year Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Action Plan.
The Science Advisory Panel was tasked with synthesizing topically specific, science-based, and decision-relevant research findings to guide investments and actions to protect human lives and communities and reduce risk to ecosystems and the services they provide from extreme wildfire events in California. The Panel identified seven key messages, including:
- A brief overview of California’s wildfire crisis
- Socioeconomic and public health implications of wildfires
- Land use planning and design for protecting communities
- Wildfire impacts to ecosystems and the services and values they provide
- Applications and approaches to reduce extreme wildfire risk
- Post-fire recovery, reforestation, and management interventions
- The value and role of data, modeling, remote sensing, and novel technological applications
California Continues to Lead Nation with Recognition of 1,500th Firewise Community
California Continues to Lead Nation with Recognition of 1,500th Firewise Community
May 19, 2026 – California reached another major milestone in its efforts to strengthen wildfire resilience with the designation of the Woodfords community in Alpine County as the state’s 1,500th Firewise USA® community. This achievement highlights the continued statewide progress in supporting local communities as they work to reduce wildfire risk. The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) formally recognizes Firewise communities that demonstrate a sustained commitment to preparedness and risk reduction. The Woodfords community reflects the deep history and longstanding connection that local residents and tribal communities have with the land. Today, Woodfords continues to demonstrate leadership in resilience and preparedness through its dedication to reducing wildfire risk.
The Firewise USA® recognition program, administered by NFPA®, is a voluntary initiative in which residents work together to implement long‑term wildfire mitigation practices. To earn recognition, communities complete several key steps, including establishing a local committee, conducting a Community Risk Assessment, developing a three‑year action plan, hosting public outreach activities, and submitting a formal application.
Wildfire Resilience Index Provides New Interactive Tool to Support Communities and Landscapes Living with Fire
Wildfire Resilience Index is Now Live — Providing a New Interactive Tool to Support Communities and Landscapes Living with Wildfire
May 5, 2026 – The Wildfire Resilience Index launched as an open source, free, interactive tool designed to support communities and landscapes living with wildfire in 12 Western US states, British Columbia, and the Yukon Territory. Users can look up any census tract, county, or congressional district and get a resilience score — broken down by eight socio-ecological domains and split into resistance and recovery components to see not just how resilient a place is, but why, and what to do about it. The index is designed to inform land management, policy planning, and community preparedness by supporting evidence-based decisions that enhance safety and ecosystem sustainability. The index offers flexible insights that communities can adapt to their unique needs. It highlights where resilience can be strengthened-whether through vegetation management, infrastructure planning, community preparedness, or other targeted actions.
CAL FIRE Announces $100 Million in Funding to Increase Community and Landscape Wildfire Resilience
CAL FIRE Announces $100 Million in Funding to Increase Community and Landscape Wildfire Resilience
$70 Million to Help Communities Strengthen Wildfire Resilience:
May 7, 2026 — CAL FIRE announced the availability of up to $70 million in funding for community-focused wildfire prevention and resilience projects. Funded projects will support locally led efforts that reduce wildfire risk, strengthen preparedness, and help protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure. Eligible activities include hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention planning, and wildfire prevention education aimed at increasing readiness and reducing wildfire ignition potential. Projects that also deliver carbon‑reduction benefits will receive additional consideration. Completed applications must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on July 8, 2026.
$30 Million for Regional Wildfire and Landscape Resilience:
May 13, 2026 — CAL FIRE announced the availability of up to $30 million through a new Regional Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Grant Program funded by the 2024 California Climate Bond (Proposition 4). The program aims to accelerate landscape-scale, regionally appropriate activities that strengthen local capacity, improve landscape health and resilience, and reduce wildfire risk to communities. By anchoring funding in a local context, these grants encourage regions to move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and instead tailor strategies to unique challenges and opportunities. Priority will be given to projects that leverage funding from multiple sources to maximize public benefits, build regional capacity to develop and deliver future resilience projects, and reflect broad stakeholder engagement, including meaningful tribal participation. The program will follow a two-phase application process, with concept proposals due by 3 p.m. on June 30, 2026. Additional information, including a virtual workshop on program requirements, is available on the Regional Wildfire & Landscape Resilience Grants webpage.
Board of Forestry Releases Draft of Zone Zero Defensible Space Regulations
California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Releases Draft of Zone Zero Defensible Space Regulations
April 17, 2026 – The California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection subcommittee released an updated draft of proposed Zone 0 (first five feet around homes and structures) defensible space regulations, marking another step in the state’s ongoing effort to better protect homes and communities from wildfire. The draft regulations were informed by extensive public input and reflect a flexible approach that empowers homeowners and local governments to take action. The updated draft rule includes a phased-in implementation approach that prioritizes education and outreach over a 5-year period.
CNRA Launches Policy to Expand Tribal Stewardship for at Least 7.5 Million Acres in California
CNRA Launches Policy to Expand Tribal Stewardship for at Least 7.5 Million Acres in California
March 17, 2027 – The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) launched the state’s first-ever Tribal Stewardship Policy, establishing a statewide goal of expanding tribal stewardship over at least 7.5 million acres of lands and coastal waters in California. The Policy sets clear standards for all CNRA departments, conservancies, commissions, boards, and many other non-tribal partners to institutionalize meaningful and durable tribal-state partnerships and advance tribal stewardship through tribal access, collaboration, and ancestral land return. The Policy is supported by a companion toolkit containing training materials, templates, webinars, and technical resources designed for tribes, agency staff, and partners. The forthcoming 2026 California Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Action Plan will support, build upon, and align with CNRA’s Tribal Stewardship Policy.
Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition Releases 2025 Progress Report, Showing Accelerating Restoration Efforts
Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition Releases 2025 Progress Report, Showing Accelerating Restoration Efforts
April 3, 2026 – The Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (GSLC) released its 2025 Progress Report, showcasing significant advances in protecting the world’s remaining giant sequoia groves from shifting climates, catastrophic wildfire and emerging threats such as bark beetles. GSLC partners have conducted restoration activities in 44 of the world’s 94 sequoia groves since 2022, reducing the risk of extreme wildfires and improving overall forest health. In 2025, Coalition members conducted forest resilience treatments on 4,508 acres across 25 groves, advancing the momentum of this collaborative effort. Since its formation following the devastating 2020 and 2021 fire seasons—when the Castle Fire, KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fire killed thousands of ancient sequoias—the Coalition has treated a total of 23,251 acres and planted more than 682,000 native trees.
Additionally, a new scientific study from the GSLC reveals the current state of California’s giant sequoia range and quantifies the alarming extent of damage caused by extreme wildfires over the last decade. More than 17% of all mature giant sequoias have been killed by wildfire since 2015, while less than 1% perished in the 30 prior years. Most of the losses since 2015 occurred during the megafires of 2020 and 2021.