Wildfire Archives - Rural County Representatives Of California

sunlight breaking through trees in a forest, with focus on the foreground

April 24, 2026

Forest and Public Lands Stewardship | Public Safety and Emergency Management | Wildfire

CBS Sacramento - California bill would bring back fire prevention fee to high-risk areas

As California lawmakers debate reinstating a controversial fire-prevention fee, RCRC’s own Staci Heaton was featured in a CBS Sacramento report highlighting concerns from rural residents. She questioned both the fairness of the proposed charge and whether it would deliver clear, tangible benefits to the communities expected to pay it.

See the full video here: California bill would bring back fire prevention fee to high-risk areas – CBS Sacramento

April 24, 2026

Forest and Public Lands Stewardship | Public Safety and Emergency Management | Wildfire

San Francisco Chronicle - California could make homes in fire-risk areas pay up to $150

RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Staci Heaton is featured in the San Francisco Chronicle opposing Senate Bill 1404, which would reinstate a statewide fire prevention fee of up to $150 for rural homeowners to fund Cal Fire prevention efforts.

See the full article here: California could make homes in fire-risk areas pay up to $150

open book on table with trees, solar panels, and windmills sprouting from grass on open pages, hot air balloons hovering above the word BioEnergy

December 22, 2025

Energy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship | Wildfire

CalMatters - Small-scale bioenergy is critical for wildfire prevention, climate resilience, and emissions reduction

In response to pending efforts to close the BioMAT program, Yuba County Supervisor and RCRC Board Delegate Gary Bradford emphasizes in this commentary to CalMatters why small-scale bioenergy is a critical tool and calls for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to extend and strengthen the BioMAT program in coordination with wildfire prevention and waste management efforts.

Yellow caution sign set against blue sky with clouds

March 1, 2025

Forest and Public Lands Stewardship | Water and Wildlife | Wildfire

Natural Disaster News Today - Governor Newsom Issues Emergency Order to Fast-Track Wildfire Prevention

Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency proclamation to accelerate wildfire prevention projects across California by streamlining regulatory hurdles, including CEQA. The move is widely supported by foresters, local officials, fire professionals, and conservation...