California lawmakers reach across the aisle for firefighting legislation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez never thought she’d see fires like those that tore through Los Angeles County last month.

Speaking Tuesday about the proposed Fight for Firefighters Act, the Pasadena Democrat called the devastation caused by the Eaton Fire “unreal.” It surpassed 14,000 acres, destroying almost 10,000 structures and leading to over a dozen deaths.

“I have to be honest, this is something I thought I’d never see in my lifetime,” Pérez said. “Climate change has created the perfect storm of conditions.”

Pérez was joined by a handful of other state senators Tuesday pushing for the bill both Republicans and Democrats are backing in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires. The Palisades Fire burned over 23,000 acres and led to 12 deaths.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, a North Coast Democrat, heralded the legislation at a bipartisan press conference. The bill would ensure Cal Fire foregoes laying off any firefighters during the winter, keeping its staffing levels maintained year-round.

The Los Angeles-area fires stretched the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s ranks thin, McGuire said, as the annual layoffs currently are in effect. They are one reason why state senators are pushing for the new legislation.

“California and the entire West are burning at historic rates,” McGuire said.

The bill would provide some $175 million to $185 million each year for the increased staffing. Coming from the state’s general fund, the money would pay for over 1,000 firefighters to staff Cal Fire’s 356 engines year-round.

The funds also would pay for year-round staffing of Cal Fire’s 38 vegetation management crews.

According to McGuire, the state would see an $8 million savings from not paying unemployment benefits to the firefighters who are laid off each year.

“We should not be pinching pennies when sparks are flying,” McGuire said. “We have to be looking for more to do."

“Wildfires do not take three months off,” he added.

Liz Brown, a Cal Fire battalion chief with the San Bernardino unit, said she’s seen fires change over her 30-year career. Echoing McGuire, Brown said firefighters can’t have a yearly break, as fires don’t take one.

Cal Fire received more staffing four years ago, though the layoffs remained, said Tim Edwards, president of Cal Fire Local 2881. That means Cal Fire loses about a third of its firefighters each winter.

“We walked into this fire with one hand tied behind our back,” he added.

Republican lawmakers also lauded the effort to heighten Cal Fire’s staffing.

State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, a San Diego Republican, said he’s worked closely for years with McGuire on fire issues. Partnering with members across the aisle is needed to advance what he called smart legislation.

“There is neither room nor time to play politics with this emergent situation,” Jones said in a statement. “While this bill represents a good start, Republicans remain committed to tackling this issue from every angle.”

Both Republicans and Democrats have introduced a host of bills this session targeting fire.

Democratic Assemblymembers John Harabedian of Pasadena and Jacqui Irwin of Thousand Oaks introduced Assembly Bill 238. It would enable borrowers facing financial issues to request a forbearance on their mortgage. Borrowers would need only to attest that they face a hardship, which would stop any foreclosure process.

Republican state Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares, of Santa Clarita, recently introduced three fire-related bills.

Senate Bill 264 would enable prosecutors to charge people with a felony if they impersonate a police officer or firefighters during a state of emergency. Senate Bill 265 makes burglary during a state of emergency a felony.

Senate Bill 252 would exempt the undergrounding of power lines from the California Environmental Quality Act.