Managing Floods in California

Mar 22, 2017 - Preparedness activities include training local emergency responders, developing systems or purchasing equipment for emergency communication, establishing and communicating evacuation procedures, and acquiring flood ‑fight material stockpiles such as sandbags.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3571

The 2018-19 Budget: Fire Recovery Proposals

Mar 1, 2018 - The fire spread quickly due to strong winds and rugged terrain that made fire fighting difficult, eventually burning about 280,000 acres, destroying over 1,000 structures, and killing two people. We note that, in addition to the direct damage caused by the Thomas Fire, the fire also denuded hillsides.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3767

State Wildfire Response Costs Estimated to Be Higher Than Budgeted

Oct 19, 2020 - This post discusses the administration’s recent notice to the Legislature, which estimates state emergency costs of $1.3 billion to fight this year’s wildfires. Provides context on the extreme wildfire season of 2020, as well as implications for the state budget.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4285

Options for Creating a Forestry Management Training Center

Jan 4, 2022 - While the main focus of the program is firefighting, participants perform activities such as fuel reduction and reforestation projects when not fighting fires. The program is designed for parolees because one of the main goals of the center is to reduce recidivism.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4487

The 2024-25 Budget: CalFire—Implementation of a 66-Hour Workweek

Mar 19, 2024 - In principle, when not fighting fires, these personnel should be available to perform other priority activities, such as thinning forests and conducting prescribed burns to improve the resilience of the state ’s forests.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4886

The 2019-20 Budget: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Feb 14, 2019 - Some of the key questions for the Legislature to explore in the coming months and years could include: State vs. Local Role. Which activities are appropriate for the state to undertake, and which should be local responsibilities?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3933

Improving California's Forest and Watershed Management

Apr 4, 2018 - For example, when fire crews are needed for emergency fire suppression during the limited time of year they might otherwise be able to implement prescribed fires —such as during the fall and winter of 2017 when they were fighting the wine country and Southern California wildfires —it reduces the number of acres CalFire staff can treat with prescribed burns.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3798