![\"calfireban\"](\"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/calfireban2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSacramento \u2013 Monday, CAL FIRE announced it had awarded an additional $3 million in grants throughout the state for a variety of fire prevention projects aimed at reducing the elevated threat of wildfires due to the ongoing drought and significant tree mortality. The announcement comes just two months after CAL FIRE released nearly $2 million for fire prevention projects in the counties hit hardest by tree mortality and bark beetle. \u201cThis grant funding will help communities prepare for what is likely to be another challenging fire season,\u201d said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director and California\u2019s state forester. \u201cThese grants will help complete vital fire prevention projects to help mitigate some of the impacts created by four years of drought and hazardous fuel build up.\u201d<\/p>\n
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These grants are part of $5 million from the State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund allowing
\nlocal fire departments and fire districts to create projects that help to reduce the threat of wildfires
\naround homes within the State Responsibility Area. With today\u2019s announcement for funding of 44
\nadditional projects, it brings the total number of projects funded to 63. These projects will reinforce
\nand augment CAL FIRE\u2019s ongoing projects and efforts to address the risk and potential impacts of
\nlarge, damaging wildfires. Grant selection criteria weighted projects that address fire risk and potential
\nimpact of wildfire to habitable structures in the State Responsibility Area, as well as community
\nsupport and project feasibility.<\/p>\n
A full list of the grant projects can be viewed at:<\/p>\n