The Office of Assemblymember Heather Hadwick announces that the 1st Assembly District has received more than $12.7 million in wildfire prevention grants through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s California Climate Investments Program. These funds will support critical projects across the district focused on reducing wildfire risk and protecting rural communities before disaster strikes, said Hadwick’s staff.
Two of the projects are in Plumas County. The Plumas County Fire Safe Council received $949,232.50 for the East Shore Shaded Fuel Break Phase 1. This project treats 738.3 acres via mastication along Lake Almanor’s eastern shore. Organizers point out that Partnership between PCFSC, Lassen Fire Safe Council and Hamilton Branch/East Shore Firewise protects at least 302 structures on the east shore, infrastructure such as Highway 147, BNSF Railway lines and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. lines, as well as additional Almanor Basin communities.
Cost-effective rates of $800 to $1,000 per acre are leveraged by Sierra Pacific Industries’ 499.1 acres and PG&E’s 239.2 acres. This also streamlines Environmental Protection Plan permitting. The initial phase of landscape-scale strategy connecting to the LFSC’s Dyer wildland-urban interface project for comprehensive Lake Almanor Basin protection.
The second grant, in the amount of $949,951.52, went to LFSC’s Dyer WUI Fuels Phase II project. This shovel-ready hazardous fuels reduction project spans 889 acres in the WUI of Lassen and Plumas counties. Targeted communities include Westwood, Clear Creek, Hamilton Branch, Pine Town and the Almanor Peninsula. Organizers point out that the project reduces wildfire risk for 1,565 habitable structures by connecting, maintaining and expanding existing treatments along the Highway 36, Highway 147 and A-21 corridors.
“Wildfires are a constant challenge in Northern California, making proactive mitigation — such as fuel reduction, treatment programs, and firebreak projects — essential to community safety,” said Hadwick’s office. “These investments can mean the difference between containment and catastrophe when fires threaten homes, infrastructure and evacuation routes.”
Hadwick expressed her gratitude to Cal Fire for recognizing the unique needs of rural and forested communities and for making a significant investment in wildfire preparedness throughout the district.
Statewide, Cal Fire is awarding more than $62.6 million for 84 local wildfire prevention projects, including 41 projects located in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Over the past six years, the Wildfire Prevention Grants Program has invested more than $566 million in more than 575 projects across California. These projects support the goals and objectives of California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
More information on Cal Fire’s recent awards is available online, as is the full list of the California Climate Investments Program 2025-26 wildfire prevention grant awards.
