Sen. Dodd’s Wildfire Warning Center Bill Clears Committee

SACRAMENTO – Legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would establish the California Wildfire Warning Center, a statewide network of automated weather and environmental monitoring stations conducting fire-weather forecasting and threat assessment to aid in wildfire prevention and response, cleared a key committee today.

“This bill will help identify dangerous wind and weather conditions before wildfires break out, allowing time to de-activate power lines and pre-position resources,” Sen. Dodd said. “It’s the kind of statewide, early-warning system California needs to prevent future disasters and save lives. It offers a cohesive defense against the effects of climate change and extreme weather, which have been responsible for some of the worst disasters ever experienced by this state.”

Senate Bill 209 creates the California Wildfire Warning Center to be overseen by three agencies:  The California Public Utilities Commission, the office of Emergency Services and Cal Fire. It builds on existing systems and will be responsible for the ongoing monitoring of fire weather and threat conditions, as well as for ongoing improvement of fire forecasting models. The CWWC will work with investor-owned utilities, which will be required to install weather-monitoring equipment throughout their systems.

“It’s my intention to bring together the state’s disparate fire weather monitoring systems and reduce the chances of another catastrophic event in California,” Sen. Dodd said.  

The bill cleared the Senate’s Governmental Organization committee today with overwhelming support and heads next to the Energy, Utilities and Communications committee.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. More information on Senator Bill Dodd can be found at www.senate.ca.gov/dodd.