What you need to know: Governor Newsom issued an emergency proclamation on March 1 to streamline wildfire prevention projects following the Los Angeles firestorms, and today he extended a key provision to maintain momentum on that work. To date, California has fast-tracked more than 200 wildfire safety projects statewide, with approvals now happening in as little as 30 days instead of a year or more.
January 2, 2026 – SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that California will continue moving faster than ever to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk by extending a key provision allowing for wildfire safety projects to qualify for the state’s fast‑track forest management program through May 1, 2026. This targeted action keeps a proven emergency tool focused on one goal: using the full rainy season to safely complete more fuels reduction and beneficial fire projects that protect communities, forests, and critical infrastructure.
When we created this fast‑track forest management program, the goal was simple: cut through bureaucracy, honor our commitment to environmental values, and move faster to protect Californians from catastrophic fire. This order grants communities, tribes, and land managers additional time to get projects in the door so we can use the full rainy season for safe, science‑driven fuels reduction and beneficial fire…