California Legislators Propose Year-Round Staffing for Cal Fire

California lawmakers, led by Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, have proposed bipartisan legislation to transition about 3,000 seasonal firefighters to year-round positions in response to an increasingly severe wildfire threat. The proposed change aims to enhance Cal Fire's capacity, ensuring that fire engines, helicopters, and vegetation management crews are operational every month, rather than just during the traditional fire season. The estimated cost for the transition is between $175 million and $185 million annually, which would also support local firefighting services in six counties. McGuire emphasized that wildfires no longer adhere to a seasonal schedule, highlighting the need for a full-time firefighting force to protect communities effectively. This proposal follows a particularly devastating winter fire season that underscored the reality of climate change's impact on fire patterns in California. Support for the legislation comes at a time when the state is grappling with the implications of an extended fire season driven by human-caused climate change.