California is getting a jump start on reducing fire risk with the state facing another extremely dry year. State officials recently announced a $536 million funding plan to help improve the state’s resilience to wildfires with projects and programs that provide improved fire prevention for all parts of California.

And because California’s fires are not limited to forested lands, particular attention is being paid to all kinds of vulnerable terrain and vegetation, with incentives for prevention that protects larger numbers of residents.

“Key parts of the administration’s initial proposal have been supplemented by legislative ideas that will pay dividends over the years such as greater investments in forest health projects, improvements on defensible space, home hardening against fires, fire prevention grants and prevention workforce training. The plan includes public and private lands vegetation management, community-focused efforts for prevention and resilience, and economic stimulus for the forestry economy. The $536 million funding packaging includes $125 million from Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds and $411 million from the general fund. We also hope to draw federal disaster prevention grants to match money spent on home hardening,” says the statement.