Senator Limón’s Legislation to Expand the Use of Beneficial Fire Signed into Law

(SACRAMENTO) - On Friday night, Senator Monique Limón’s legislation to expand the use of beneficial fire was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. SB 1101 passed out of the California State Legislature with bipartisan, unanimous support. As California continues to see prolonged and worsening fire seasons, beneficial fire will help to cut down excess fire fuels. 

“Over the last five years we have seen historically devastating wildfires across our state, posing a threat to wildlife, biodiversity and our communities,” said Senator Monique Limon. “Expanding the state’s ability to utilize prescribed fire more broadly, will help us eliminate excess fire fuels, and be proactive in stopping catastrophic wildfire. I am grateful that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed this legislation.”

Specifically, SB 1101 will streamline CAL FIRE’s contracting and procurement process for beneficial fire. This legislation will also expand pre-fire planning to support wildfire management and controlled burns, and requires mapping of fire severity to improve the understanding of the effects of fires. 

“Fire is a natural part of California’s ecology; there is not a “no fire” option. But with better landscape plans for managing beneficial fire, we can take control of our relationship to fire so more burns happen when the weather conditions give us good, safe outcomes rather than waiting for the worst weather conditions when fires are uncontrollable and more damaging” said Paul Mason, Vice President of Policy and Incentives for the bill sponsor Pacific Forest Trust. “Meaningful community engagement in developing these plans will help broaden understanding of the need for more beneficial fire, and pairs well with CAL FIRE’s new authority to more efficiently implement large prescribed fire projects. We are heartened by the breadth of support for this bill, the total lack of opposition, and Senator Limón’s leadership on the issue.”

In 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force issued a strategic plan for expanding the use of beneficial fire to “build forest and community resilience statewide.” SB 1101 builds upon this strategic plan by creating an opportunity for our state agencies to partner with federal, tribal, local, and private actors to plan fire boundaries that respect key natural and cultural resources. 

"We commend the legislature for prioritizing common sense policy that is needed to better protect Californians from out-of-control wildfires. Rapidly deploying beneficial fire when narrow windows arise will be crucial to protecting vulnerable communities from smoke and heat impacts,” said Marquis Mason, Advocacy Partnership Coordinator, California Environmental Voters. “Transitioning from devastating wildfires to controlled burns is essential not only for land management but also for public health. We appreciate Senator Limon’s constant commitment to tackling the climate crisis head on."

“As stewards of the state’s 38 million acres of rangelands and residents of its rural communities, cattlemen are on the frontlines of California’s wildfire resilience efforts and suffer immensely when those efforts fall short,” said Kirk Wilbur, Vice President of Government Affairs, California Cattlemen’s Association. “Prescribed fire is the single most effective tool available to prevent catastrophic wildfire; SB 1101 makes it easier for CalFire to nimbly and efficiently apply that good fire to California’s landscapes, and CCA thanks Sen. Limón for championing this vital reform.” 

"Scaling up good fire is crucial for wildfire resilience in communities across the state, and SB 1101 will support CalFire's efforts to reduce hazardous fuels, mitigate wildfire risk, and safeguard public safety and property by making it easier to plan and apply prescribed fire. CSAC commends the leadership of Senator Limón on this issue." said Catherine Freeman, Senior Legislative Advocate, California State Association of Counties (CSAC). 

###
Monique Limón represents the 19th Senate District, which includes Santa Barbara, Ventura, Goleta, Buellton, Carpinteria, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Solvang, Camarillo, Fillmore, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, and Port Hueneme. She currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and as Chair of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.