Wildfire Preparedness Conference Committee Agenda Focuses on Fuel Reduction
SACRAMENTO – A panel of experts on topics ranging from fire science to forest management will testify Tuesday before the Conference Committee on Wildfire Preparedness and Response as lawmakers shift their focus from utility liability to fire prevention. The hearing begins at 2 p.m. in state Capitol Room 4202.
“As we watch unprecedented fires break out across the state it has become increasingly clear that fuel reduction and better forest management practices are essential,” said Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, the committee’s co-chairman. “It is absolutely imperative that we stop fires before they start to prevent the kinds of devastating losses we’ve seen over the past year.”
The hearing will be the committee’s fourth since it was formed in July by Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders. Its goal is to strengthen disaster preparedness and set forth appropriate policies to respond to the mounting wildfire risk worsened by climate change. Senate Bill 901, introduced by Senator Dodd, will be amended to incorporate the final language.
Committee members on Tuesday will hear presentations on how forest policy can be improved to meet new challenges. Speakers will address funding for healthy forests, wood product markets and biomass policy.
The committee will meet again on Thursday upon adjournment of Senate and Assembly floor sessions in state Capitol Room 112.
A link to the Conference Committee website is here: http://focus.senate.ca.gov/wildfirecommittee
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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.