FORESTRY AND WILDFIRES

The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) is responsible for wildland fire protection in State Responsibility Areas (SRAs), which are primarily privately owned wildlands that encompass about one-third of the state. CalFire employs around 4,000 permanent and 2,500 seasonal firefighters, operates an aviation program (aircraft, helicopters, and air tankers), and runs about 250 fire stations and air attack bases.

Majority of Forestlands in California Owned by Federal Government

For more information, please see our publication The 2020-21 Budget: Governor's Wildfire-Related Proposals

Spending on Wildfire Response and Prevention Activities

For more information, please see our publication State Spending on Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation.

Comparing the Potential Impacts of Healthy and Unhealthy Forests

Largest and Most Destructive California Wildfires Have Occurred in Recent Decades

State Has Experienced Many Large and Damaging Fires Since 2000

For more information, please see our publication Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California.

For more information, please see our publication Living Under Smoky Skies—Understanding the Challenges Posed by Wildfire Smoke in California.

Various Activities Can Reduce Home Loss From Wildfires

For more information, please see our publication Reducing the Destructiveness of Wildfires: Promoting Defensible Space in California.