California “burn bosses” are finally getting some news they have been wanting to hear for decades. The governor signed three bills that will allow more prescribed burning.
One will give more legal protections, another would establish a prescribed fire training center, and a third would give $20 million dollars towards a prescribed fire claims fund.
Before these bills, if a prescribed fire lingered beyond its boundaries, the burner would be responsible for paying the costs. Now, unless a burner is negligent, they are not responsible.
The state is now dealing with another explosive wildfire.
The Alisal Fire has ballooned to more than 13,000 acres in the Los Padres National Forest and is only 5 percent contained.
Authorities have shut down roads and ordered mandatory evacuations. About 100 structures are threatened, including ranches and homes.
The U.S. Forest Service says that 600 firefighters are working to tackle the outbreak.
Nearly 2.5 million acres have burned in the state this year.
Related:
There is a new tool for CA landowners to manage wildfire risk
A Call to Action: Forest Service leaders urge Congress to prioritize wildfire management
California’s Caldor Fire forcing 42,000 residents to evacuate