CLEARLAKE
PG&E offering to remove wood debris from trees cut down for safety during 2021 wildfires
In response to customer and community feedback, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is offering customers free removal of large-diameter wood from trees that were cut down for safety during the company’s 2021 wildfire response.
As PG&E worked to quickly and safely restore power during the 2021 wildfire season, crews inspected and cut down hazardous trees that posed a potential safety risk to crews and electric equipment. The work was done in coordination with agencies responding to the wildfires.
With this work now largely complete, PG&E is offering landowners the opportunity to have trees that were cut down for safety removed from their property, provided it is safe to do so.
Because the wood is the landowner’s property, removal of the wood is optional and landowners must provide written permission to PG&E to have the wood removed. PG&E is in the process of reaching out to impacted landowners to offer the removal services and provide permission forms.
Earlier this year, PG&E and contractor crews began removing and disposing of large-diameter wood from 2020 wildfires. PG&E recently expanded the voluntary program to encompass 2021 wildfires.
If approved by the landowner, PG&E will be removing wood debris from trees cut down for safety in response to the following wildfires:
- Anderson Fire
- Cache Fire
- Caldor Fire
- Dixie Fire
- Fawn Fire
- Hopkins Fire
- KNP Complex Fire
- Linda Falls Fire
- McFarland Fire
- Monument Fire
- North Complex Fire
- River Fire (Colfax, Oakhurst)
- Salt Fire
- Washington Fire
PG&E contractor crews will be performing this work and can provide identification upon request. Customers with questions about the Wood Management Program can call 1-877-295-4949 or email wildfiresafety@pge.com.
For additional information about the program or to download the permission form for wood debris removal in 2021 fire footprints, visit www.pge.com/woodmanagement.
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
Cal OES releases $125 million in funding to build resilience in communities most vulnerable to disasters
As part of California’s nation-leading effort to build community resilience among vulnerable individuals living in the areas of the state most susceptible to natural disasters, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) today announced the release of $125 million in new funding for local partners.
The two programs launched today, Listos California and Prepare California, work in tandem to prioritize new actions that advance equity for communities that have historically been underserved or disproportionately affected by disasters. Listos California is a $25 million campaign to utilize peer-to-peer education and outreach through community-based organizations. Prepare California is aimed at reducing long-term risks of disasters by investing $100 million in infrastructure improvements for local communities.
The funding allocated through these campaigns is intentionally designed to be people-centered and people-powered, with state funding flowing out to local community groups whose leaders and members know best how to reach their vulnerable communities.
Administered by Cal OES, Prepare California and Listos California will provide disaster resilience funding for communities that are the most socially vulnerable and at the highest risk for future emergency events.
Approved in Governor Newsom’s 2021-22 State Budget, Prepare California and Listos California will engage a network of partners, including Tribal Governments and community-based organizations (CBOs), to work together to ensure communities are prepared in advance of the next emergency.
Prepare California ($100 million)
Prepare California is aimed at reducing long-term risks of disasters, such as flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, extreme heat, drought, or dam failure by investing in infrastructure improvements designed to protect communities. In addition, it is designed to unlock federal matching funds for community improvement projects that vulnerable communities would otherwise be unable to access.
Tribal Governments, local governments, private non-profit organizations and state agencies are eligible for funding under this program. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit: caloes.ca.gov/preparecalifornia.
Listos California ($25 million)
In 2020, the Listos California Grant Program awarded $20 million in grants and successfully partnered with over 300 CBOs and volunteer and service teams. The campaign surpassed its 1-million-person goal and reached over 3.8 million Californians effectively helping to combat issues relating to housing, food insecurity, and public health. This year, the campaign aims to take this a step further by not only focusing on preparedness, but also response and recovery efforts after disaster strikes.
These grant funds help engage a statewide network of CBOs, Tribal Governments, and others to increase communities’ disaster capabilities. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit: https://news.caloes.ca.gov/listosca2022.
—Submitted
