NSP Partners Launch the Wildfire Solutions Coalition

Wildfire is everyone’s problem, at least if you live in California.

Fifteen of the twenty most destructive wildfires in our state’s history have occurred in just the last decade, fueled by fire suppression, land management practices, a changing climate, and the construction of homes and communities in high-risk areas. The result: Devastating loss of life, declining air and water quality, and $117 billion/year in wildfire-related economic losses.

Governor Newsom convened the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force to align federal, state, local, Tribal, and private efforts around science-based, regionally-specific wildfire solutions. Later this year, the Task Force will release its updated Wildfire and Landscape Resilience Action Plan, outlining the specific actions needed to increase wildfire resilience around California, including regional strategies developed in partnership with wildfire and community leaders.

While the Action Plan marks meaningful progress, it will not detail how California might secure the $2.5 to $3 billion/year needed over the next decade to implement the Plan and fully address the scale of the crisis.

Enter the Wildfire Solutions Coalition, launched last month by the Sierra Business Council, The Nature Conservancy, and the Northern Sierra Partnership in collaboration with key allies from around California. 

Our goal is to secure significant, sustained funding from local, state, and federal sources to implement the Task Force’s recommendations. Our Coalition already includes an impressive list of allies (partial list):

Association of CA Water Agencies 
Bay Area Council 
CA Association of Resource Conservation Districts 
CA Council of Land Trusts 
CA Fire Chiefs Association 
CA Forestry Association
CA Forward 
CA Native Plant Society 
Inland Empire Community Foundation 
Irvine Ranch Conservancy 
Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation 
Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority 
Monterey County COAD Manager 
Mountain Counties Water Resources Association 
Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council
Save the Redwoods League 

As a first step, the Wildfire Solutions Coalition is urging lawmakers to protect and scale the Cap-and-Trade auction revenues set aside for wildfire resilience, eventually reaching 10%. Recent research demonstrates that every $1 invested in wildfire resilience returns at least $6 in benefits. 

Wildfire is a challenging but solvable problem. With sustained investment, strong leadership, and a commitment to equity and science, Californians can meet the challenge head-on and create a state where communities, ecosystems, and economies thrive.