Last year, California dramatically increased fire suppression spending to $1.5 billion:
But we can’t find much to show for that spending. A recent report issued by the state contains photos and anecdotes about a sizable number of small trials but next to no measurement. This lack of accountability is a serious concern not only because of ramped-up state spending on fire suppression but also because the firefighters’ union is co-sponsoring a November ballot measure that would add 1.75 percentage points to the state income tax rate in part to boost spending on fire suppression (and, of course, the union’s membership and fees). Before raising taxes, shouldn’t we first account for existing spending and also take into account that the Biden Administration, which already spends $1.9 billion per year on wildfire management, announced with great fanfare in January a plan to spend an additional $5.5 billion on firesheds in California and other western states?
