Calabasas Bids For Wildfire Prevention Grant

CALABASAS, CA — Calabasas will apply for some of a massive Cal Fire grant funding pot to support wildfire prevention efforts across the Golden State.

The city of Calabasas on Feb. 8 voted to apply for $215,312 in grant funding to hire a wildfire consultant to help develop the city's wildfire prevention plan, according to a staff report.

Cal Fire in December, 2022 announced up to $240 million of grant money available for wildfire prevention and forest projects. Half of the money will fund wildfire projects, and the other half will support forest health projects.

Cities across the state can apply for funding to "prevent catastrophic wildfires, protect communities, and restore forests to healthy, functioning ecosystems while also sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions," according to a Cal Fire news release.

"Calabasas is located near several historical fire corridors and was most recently impacted by the Woolsey Fire in 2018. The City of Calabasas and its communities are identified by the State Fire Marshall as a Community at Risk," according to the city's staff report. "The Cal Fire Wildfire Prevention Grant will provide the funds to hire a consultant, support project management, and grant management from City staff."

Developing an in depth wildfire prevention plan, officially titled the Community Wildfire Prevention Plan, will help the city refine its priorities in the event of another major wildfire. The neighboring city of Malibu already has such a plan in place, and Los Angeles County is in the process of creating one for unincorporated areas, according to the staff report.

Development of the plan will include productive conversations on risk, structural protection, preparedness and local resources, according to the report.