Funded by PG&E settlement, county granted $3.8 million for wildfire prevention

Sonoma County wildfire prevention programs will receive $3.8 million, following the approval Tuesday by the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District.

Of that total, $3.3 million will be applied to 18 grant projects designed to prevent wildfire throughout the county, funded by a portion of a settlement from Pacific Gas & Electric. These projects include treating 2,000 acres of land with shaded fuel-breaks, increasing grazing and creating calming zones, all of which are intended to slow or prevent the spread of wildfire in the community.

The remaining $500,000 is earmarked for a new technical advisory program to assist applicants with smaller projects, costing between $5,000 and $50,000, with the grant application process.

District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who chairs the agriculture board, said:

“The county continues to make huge strides in our work to lower the risk of wildfire in our communities. … We have a long way to go, but programs like these are instrumental in achieving our vegetation management goals.”

More information about the grant program can be accessed here. Vegetation Management Coordinator Kim Batchelder is also available to answer specific questions at kim.batchelder@sonoma-county.org.