California Proposes Year-Round Staffing for Cal Fire to Address Wildfire Crisis

A bipartisan bill aims to transition 3,000 seasonal firefighters to full-time roles, bolstering wildfire response and firefighter support.

The Fight for Firefighters Act seeks to make 3,000 seasonal Cal Fire firefighters full-time employees to address year-round wildfire threats in California.
The proposed $175 million annual plan would ensure all 356 Cal Fire engines and 38 vegetation management crews are operational throughout the year.
Lawmakers emphasized the mental health toll and burnout faced by firefighters, citing over 57,000 mental health hotline calls in six years.
The legislation follows deadly January wildfires in Los Angeles County, which killed at least 29 people and caused extensive damage.
Governor Gavin Newsom is in Washington D.C. to request federal disaster aid, following President Trump's visit to survey wildfire damage.