SB 1101 aims to tackle the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires by empowering the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to streamline logistical support for large-scale prescribed fire operations. By reducing bureaucratic barriers to executing these essential projects, such as simplifying state contract requirements for securing meals, lodging, equipment, and land use agreements, the new law enables CAL FIRE to act swiftly when favorable weather conditions allow for safe prescribed burns.

“This bill represents a major advancement in addressing California’s wildfire challenges and health, emotional, and financial impacts on Latinos,” said Hilda Berganza, Hispanic Access Foundation Climate Manager. “Prescribed fires have been part of Indigenous communities' way of life and stewardship of the land for thousands of years. SB1101 allows for the expansion of this practice, helping to protect both our natural resources and communities from the increasing threat of wildfires.”

According to the 2021 U.S. Census Bureau, 40% of California residents are Latino. Many of them work in construction, landscaping, and agriculture, which require outdoor labor, increasing the risk of exposure to smoke and flames, and are often situated in wildfire-prone areas. The signing of this bill has the potential to greatly alleviate the adverse effects that Latinos suffer due to the increased prevalence and destruction of wildfires. 

California’s landscapes, shaped by fire for centuries, have become unnaturally dense with vegetation due to decades of fire suppression. Prescribed fire helps clear excess brush and reduce hazardous fuel conditions, promoting healthier ecosystems and reducing the likelihood of extreme wildfire behavior. SB 1101 reinforces the importance of proactive planning, community collaboration, and increased use of prescribed fire to protect the state’s communities and landscapes from future wildfire devastation.