Calif. Out Of Firefighting Money As Peak Fire Season Approaches

CALIFORNIA -- California's state firefighting agency recently asked lawmakers to allocate more money to battle blazes. Cal Fire's director Ken Pimlott wrote a letter to the Legislature stating the agency will need an additional $234 million as its budget dwindles to its final dollars.

Pimlott said Cal Fire has about $11 million left after just a few months into the fiscal year. The money, Pimlott said, would be used to add more firefighters and equipment to battle blazes.

The Associated Press reported "Cal Fire has requested extra money in seven of the past 10 years, but never this early."

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The request comes after firefighters gained full containment on the Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest wildfire in state history, but before the fall season, the peak fire period for California. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

The Mendocino Complex Fire erupted in late July before scorching more than 459,000 acres and killing one firefighter. Nearly 300 structures were destroyed in the blaze. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

As of Monday morning, firefighters were battling more than a dozen wildfires, including the Delta Fire in Shasta County, which shut down a major freeway and forced drivers out of their cars to run for their lives.

The Delta Fire was just 5 percent contained after burning more than 40,000 acres.

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