TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Shana A. Bagley, Interim Fire Administrator
REPORT BY: Shana A. Bagley, Interim Fire Administrator
SUBJECT: Resolution for Grant Approval for Wildfire Prevention
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution authorizing Napa County to submit an application for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program for a maximum of $5,690,000 through March 2032, to provide funding for the Conn Valley and Lake Hennessey Strategic Fuel Break Project and to delegate the signing authority to the Assistant County Executive Officer and Fire Administrator to execute all documents necessary to apply for the grant and to administer program. (Fiscal Impact: $5,690,000 Revenue; General Fund; Not Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Today’s action directs the Board of Supervisors to adopt a Resolution authorizing the County to apply for and participate in California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) 2025-2026 Wildfire Prevention Grant for a maximum of $5,690,000 through March 2032. If awarded, the funding would provide for a 949- acre wildfire mitigation - strategic fuel break project in Conn Valley and Lake Hennessey, also protecting the Lake Hennessey municipal water supply.
This will provide funding for projects otherwise funded by the Napa County Fire Department budget and the Napa County General Fund. While there is no required match of funds from the County, funds must be spent by the County before reimbursement will be made.
CAL FIRE’s Wildfire Prevention Grants Program provides funding for wildfire prevention projects and activities in and near wildfire-threatened communities that focus on increasing the protection of people, structures, and communities. Funded activities include Hazardous Fuels Reduction, Wildfire Prevention Planning, and Wildfire Prevention Education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The 2025-2026 Wildfire Prevention Grant Program is a result of the State of California, through a Budget Act amendment, aiming to reduce the risk of wildland fires to habitable structures and communities while minimizing the uncontrolled release of emissions emitted by wildfires. The purpose of the grant is to provide funding for local projects and workforce development for fire prevention and wildfire resiliency work. Funded activities include reduction of hazardous fuels that pose a threat to public rights-of-way and public infrastructure, wildfire prevention planning, and wildfire prevention education.
This grant application will be submitted to CAL FIRE on December 1, 2026. If awarded, the funding would provide for a 949- acre wildfire mitigation - strategic fuel break project in Conn Valley and Lake Hennessey, also protecting the Lake Hennessey municipal water supply. The proposed activities are consistent with the Wildfire Prevention Grant’s mission to avoid or reduce the severity of potential wildfires, thereby limiting greenhouse gas emissions and are consistent with the County’s adopted Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan.
Staff requests adoption of a Resolution authorizing the County to apply for and participate in the 2025-2026 Wildfire Prevention Grant and approval and authorization for the Asistant County Executive Officer and Fire Administrator to execute all documents necessary to apply for the grant and to administer program.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Receiving the grant award will allow the Country to significantly increase the amount of fire related hazard mitigation efforts. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
County is required to fund the work initially and then seek reimbursement from the State. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, County will be required to fund the hazardous fuel reduction. |
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County Strategic Plan pillar addressed: |
Healthy, Safe, and Welcoming Place to Live, Work, and Visit |
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.