San Rafael, CA – In what’s being called as a “game-changer” for public safety, the State of California has awarded $4 million toward two planned wildfire prevention efforts in Marin County.
Securing state grants for wildfire fuel mitigation is a shared priority for the Marin County Fire Department and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority.The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) and the Marin County Fire Department have accepted the funding from CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Programs. The MWPA has received $2.6 million for the ambitious Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break and the County of Marin received approximately $1.4 million for fuel reduction measures throughout the San Pedro Mountain area in San Rafael.
The Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break project is a multiyear mobilization effort in partnership with the Novato Fire District that will include approximately 2,120 acres, creating a 200-foot-wide fuel break around the entire Novato community. That critical task aims to mitigate wildfire risks and safeguard lives, properties, and the environment.
Funding for Marin County Fire will go toward a significant fuel reduction effort throughout the San Pedro Mountain area and China Camp State Park. The project, in partnership with the San Rafael Fire Department and California State Parks, will cover approximately 146 acres, focusing on 12 miles of ridgetop and will connect fire roads across multiple land ownerships. The necessary vegetation management will improve firefighter access and decrease wildfire intensity and severity along critical fire roads.
Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber highlighted the importance of the successful grant applications.
"Securing funding for the San Pedro Mountain fuel reduction effort is a game-changer for wildfire preparedness,” Weber said. “This grant represents a vital investment in the safety of our residents and the preservation of our natural environment. Together, with the support of the local community and CAL FIRE, we are taking proactive measures to protect lives, property, and the cherished landscapes of Marin County."
The CAL FIRE grants leverage Marin Wildfire Prevention Measure C funds to attract additional statewide funding for large-scale projects. Measure C is a parcel tax measure submitted to the voters of Marin County and adopted in March 2020. The revenues raised by this tax are used to fund proactive, state-of-the-art wildfire prevention and preparedness efforts and operate a multijurisdictional agency (MWPA) in Marin County.
“The synergy between Measure C funding and these grant acquisitions allow us to implement far-reaching wildfire prevention initiatives, like the Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break, that would otherwise be challenging to undertake on our own,” said Mark Brown, MWPA Executive Officer. “This cohesive approach is how we maximize the investment of our taxpayers."
As the projects progress, MWPA and Marin County Fire will continue to keep the public informed about the latest developments and the positive impact these initiatives have on enhancing wildfire resilience in the region. Learn more online about the CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants Programs.