California Bolsters Wildfire Defenses: A State of Readiness amidst Federal Concerns
Los Angeles, CA – July 2, 2025 – California is demonstrating unprecedented preparedness for the upcoming wildfire season, significantly increasing its firefighting workforce and accelerating preventative measures despite what the state deems “risky recklessness” from the federal administration. This proactive approach, spearheaded by Governor Newsom, aims to mitigate the escalating risk of catastrophic wildfires in a climate increasingly defined by heat and drought.
Over the past five years,CAL FIRE has nearly doubled its staffing levels compared to the previous administration,adding an average of 1,800 full-time and 600 seasonal positions annually. This expansion will continue with the recruitment of “thousands of additional firefighters, natural resource professionals, and support personnel” in the coming years [[SOURCE]].
Beyond manpower, California is aggressively pursuing preventative strategies. the state recently surpassed its goal of 50,000 acres of beneficial fire, completing 51,286 acres of prescribed burns in the last year [[SOURCE]]. Significant financial investments are also being deployed, with $135 million allocated to new and ongoing prevention projects and $72 million already distributed statewide [[SOURCE]], [[SOURCE]]. Furthermore, 24 new vegetation management projects, covering nearly 8,500 acres, have been fast-tracked through a new streamlining initiative [[SOURCE]].
To bolster its response capabilities,California has added a second C-130 Hercules airtanker to its already substantial aerial firefighting fleet – the largest in the world
