State Wildfire Response Costs Estimated to Be Higher Than Budgeted

Oct 19, 2020 - As bad as the 2020 wildfire season has been to date, California ’s traditional wildfire season is not over. Historically, wildfire season runs through the fall with fire activity affected by factors such as rainfall and wind patterns.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4285

The 2023-24 Budget: Improving Legislative Oversight of CalFire’s Emergency Fire Protection Budget

May 1, 2023 - We believe an effective budgeting approach for emergency fire protection encompasses three characteristics: (1)  the initial budget should reflect the best estimates of anticipated costs, (2)  the budget should allow for midyear adjustments, and (3)  the adjustment process should preserve reasonable mechanisms for legislative oversight and authority.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4765

The 2020-21 Budget: Governor's Wildfire-Related Proposals

Feb 21, 2020 - This includes roughly $1. 8  b illion of baseline resources for fire suppression, including year ‑round and seasonal firefighters. In addition, the budget includes a set ‑ aside —the Emergency Fund (E ‑Fund) —that provides additional funding as needed for emergency wildfire response.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4172

Adoption of April 2021 Wildfire and Forest Resilience Early Action Package

Apr 16, 2021 - By starting work immediately, the administration anticipates that projects will be in place roughly one fire season sooner than they would have been otherwise. For example, some projects funded by this package could be implemented in time to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in fall 2021 —peak fire season in California —rather than being completed in 2022 if they had been funded as part of the 2021 ‑22 budget.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4414

Frequently Asked Questions About Wildfires in California

Jan 28, 2025 - Members of the public typically alert a local government about a disaster incident —such as a fire —through calls to the 9-1-1 system. Upon receiving such an alert, local first responders —such as police or fire departments —respond to the incident.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4952

The 2018-19 Budget: Resources and Environmental Protection

Feb 14, 2018 - A Firefighter  I is a temporary employee who is hired only for the duration of the “fire season ” —the period of time when fires are most likely to occur at the greatest intensity. Individuals are usually hired in April, May, or June —as CalFire increases staffing for the fire season —and work for up to nine months, depending on the duration and intensity of the season.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3747

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Oct 16, 2025 - Additionally, as discussed above, CalFire ’s budget includes $1  billion from GGRF and a commensurate year-to-year reduction in General Fund. Notable other features of CalFire ’s 2025-26 budget include the following: Transition of Seasonal Firefighters to Permanent Classification.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5080

The 2022-23 California Spending Plan: Resources and Environmental Protection

Oct 10, 2022 - Enhancing and expanding fire crews: Task Force Rattlesnake CMD $40  million GF in 2022 ‑23 and $41  million GF annually thereafter and 15  State Active Duty positions to convert 13  seasonal CMD hand crews to 14 year ‑round hand  crews.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4633

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

Mar 19, 2024 - Lack of Clarity Regarding Nature of Problem With Firefighter Welfare A general recognition exists that the health and wellness of firefighters is a concern —particularly in light of recent severe and destructive wildfire seasons.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4886

The 2026-27 Budget: Permitting Support at the State Water Resources Control Board

Mar 2, 2026 - California has many wetlands and other ephemeral or seasonal waters that previously were considered WOTUS but now no longer meet the federal definition because they lack a continuous surface connect ion or are not relatively permanent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5144