Recap of Virtual Briefing on Fast-Tracking Wildfire Safety Projects and Expanding Beneficial Fire

On March 1, 2025 Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency to expedite projects that will protect California communities from catastrophic wildfire. The proclamation includes:

Streamlining environmental regulations, including CEQA and the Coastal Act, as needed to expedite fuels reduction projects. Projects include vegetation and tree removal, adding fuel breaks, prescribed fire, and more.
Allowing non-state entities to conduct approved fuels reduction work with expedited and streamlined approval.
Directing state agencies to submit recommendations for increasing the pace and scale of prescribed fire.
Increasing the California Vegetation Treatment Program’s (CalVTP) efficiency and utilization in order to continue promoting rapid environmental review for large wildfire risk reduction treatments.