Fire Tax Money To Fund Local Prevention Projects

Cal Fire - Tuolumne County Fire Department Logo

Sonora, CA — CAL Fire reports that $1.7-million collected from the state’s SRA tax revenues will go to fund projects in areas hit hard by drought and bark beetles.

Of the 19 proposals that were selected for funding by CAL Fire, five are in Tuolumne County. A combined $336,770 is coming to the Highway 108 Fire Safe Council for four projects. They include the Lyons Bald Mountain-Phoenix Lake Shaded Fuel Break ($98,670), Pack Trail Fire Safety Project ($60,704), Yosemite-Fitch Ranch Shaded Fuel Break ($86,900) and the Middle Big Hill Shaded Fuel Break ($90,496).

Also, $95,700 is coming to the Tuolumne County Fire Department for efforts to remove dead and dying trees. The funding awards were announced this morning. CAL Fire notes that $5-million of the SRA money was set aside in the 2015-16 state budget for local prevention grants. The agency reports that the remaining $3.2-million available will be awarded in the next couple of months following a review process.