CAL Fire personnel carefully watch a prescribed burn in Butte County. Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE

SACRAMETNO, CA (MPG) - The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is announcing the availability of up to $70 million in funding for projects aimed at improving forest health across the state. CAL FIRE is soliciting applications for projects that work to proactively prevent catastrophic wildfires and restore forests to healthy, functioning ecosystems while also sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Applications will be accepted from Nov. 13 and are due by no later than 3 p.m. Jan. 15, 2025.

“We know this work makes a difference both in forest health and wildfire resilience and that is why CAL FIRE is proud to have awarded over $700 million in Forest Health grant funding since 2017,” said Chief Matthew Reischman, Deputy Director of Resource Management. “This Forest Health grant funding supports sustainable land management practices, reforestation efforts, promotes a healthier ecosystem, and ensures that future generations can enjoy and benefit from California's natural resources.”

California landscape damaged by catastrophic wildfire. Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE

The Forest Health Program funds active restoration and reforestation activities aimed at providing for more resilient and sustained forests. This ensures the future existence of forests in California while also mitigating climate change, protecting communities from fire risk, strengthening rural economies, and improving California’s water and air.

A virtual pre-recorded workshop will be made available to explain the grant process and requirements. Please check the Forest Health webpage at www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/grants/forest-health, to view the workshop. Any questions can be directed to [email protected].

Projects that receive funding from the Forest Health grant program are designed to complement the California Forest Carbon Plan, California’s Natural and Working Lands Implementation Plan, California’s Wildfire & Forest Resilience Action Plan, California’s Strategic Plan for Expanding the Use of Beneficial Fire, and AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan.

Prescribed fire is used as a tool to manage healthy forests. Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE

The Forest Health grant program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Projects will reduce the risks to California’s forests from extreme disturbance events including catastrophic wildfires, drought, disease, and pest mortality.