3540 Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
Major Program Changes
  • Wildland Firefighting Initiative - The Budget includes $33.1 million Insurance Fund to provide four member crews on fire engines during peak and transition fire periods ($28.9 million, 383.8 positions), replace Cal Fire's aging helicopter fleet with 11 new, all-weather helicopters ($26 million/year beginning in 2009-10), and install GPS tracking units on engines and aircraft ($4.2 million, 3.8 positions).

  • Civil Cost Recovery Unit - The Budget includes $2.5 million General Fund and 13.1 positions to establish a unit to recover the state's costs to suppress fires caused by violation of the law or negligence.

  • Proposition 84: Urban Greening/Forestry - The Budget includes $9.8 million from Proposition 84 funds and 12.1 positions to fund urban greening projects as a strategy to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals ($4.4 million), and to continue an urban forestry grant program ($5.4 million).