California lawmakers are introducing a package of bills to deal with wildfires

Two months after the anniversary of the Southern California wildfires, several lawmakers at the state Capitol unveiled a package of bills aimed at preventing wildfires and reducing their damage.

“California has reached where it needs to be,” said Rep. Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) during a news conference Wednesday. “In the last nine years, we’ve had eight of the biggest fires in California history — we shouldn’t have this problem.”

The two deadliest wildfires in California’s history broke out on the same day last January. The fire ravaged Pacific Palisades and Altadena – destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people. The Palisades and Eaton fires caused an estimated $250 billion in economic losses.

Among the twelve bills announced Wednesday are:

• Assembly Bill 1934, carried by Bennett, would require the Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee to develop a home resilience plan. (Home-proofing involves using fire-resistant materials to make homes more vulnerable to fire or flames.)
• Senate Bill 1079, from Sen. Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles), will create a Fire Innovation Unit within the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The unit will serve as a research and dissemination center for wildfire technology.
• Assembly Bill 1699, by Assemblymember Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa), would permanently extend the Fixed Fire Liability Program and expand the program’s eligibility.
• Assembly Bill 1891, by Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael), would create the Beneficial Fire Capacity Program to expand training and support for community-led beneficial fire programs, including those developed by universities, volunteer fire districts and California Native American tribes.
• Senate Bill 894, from Sen. Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica), will state the Legislature’s intent to create the California Fire Resilience Program, which will increase access to home resiliency modifications.

Allen, who represents Palisades, said neighborhoods are reeling from wildfires.

“Modern fires are now spreading from wild areas into urban communities,” he said. The fact that so many people in my district have been living this past year has been a big challenge.

Many survivors of the fire expressed their anger at the government’s actions, which they believe caused the disaster and interfered with efforts to improve the situation. Asked if the Legislature has any plans to crack down on the answer, Allen said he would support a robust investigation.

“I think the public expects the state to look into this,” he said. “But I know that there are always 10 million important things here – one of my jobs as a representative of these people is to make sure that they continue to be on the radar screen.”

Bennett said Californians have a right to expect oversight and transparency but should not “expect perfection” during emergencies.

“I think we’re the best in California when we develop a culture where everyone says, ‘You’re doing your best,'” he said. “I think we can be better.”

Survivors in Altadena and Pacific Palisades recently marked the anniversary of the tragedy with solemn memorial services.

“This year has been the hardest year of our lives,” said Joy Chen, executive director of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, during a service in Altadena. “Unimaginable tragedy. 31 people who died that day, and hundreds more premature deaths since then. Homes lost. Jobs lost. Income lost. A sense of security and identity.”