Wildfire Solutions Coalition Reaction to the Governor’s 2026–27 Budget

The Governor’s 2026–27 Proposed Budget signals California’s continued commitment to climate resilience, with $2.1 billion allocated from the voter-approved Proposition 4 for wildfire resilience, nature-based solutions, and other climate investments. The Wildfire Solutions Coalition thanks Governor Newsom for his ongoing leadership on this issue. 

Given the scale of the risk facing California’s communities, landscapes, and water resources, however, the Coalition urges the Governor and Legislature to prioritize opportunities to scale investment in wildfire resilience and other nature-based climate solutions. While the proposed $314 million for wildfire programs—including local fire prevention grants, defensible space, and regional capacity building—is an important down payment, additional funding is needed to respond to the urgency voters expressed when they passed Prop 4 and to reach the estimated $2.5-3 billion needed to fully fund California’s wildfire resilience action plan. The majority of Californians strongly support increased state spending on wildfire resilience.

To close California’s wildfire funding gap, the Coalition calls for increased investment of both Cap-and-Invest and Prop 4 revenues to deliver landscape health, watershed protection, and community safety. Specifically, we respectfully request the following commitments: 

• Restore and maintain the $200 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) that has been traditionally invested in wildfire resilience. GGRF should be prioritized for critical climate resilience investments, while the General Fund is a more appropriate source for funding CAL FIRE operations. 
  
• Allocate $500 million for Prop 4 wildfire funding to meet the urgent need for more wildfire resilience investment.
  
• Pass AB 35 as soon as possible to avoid delay in getting Prop 4 investments on the ground.

The scale of the wildfire crisis demands sustained and expanded investment. Wildfire is fueling California’s affordability crisis, driving up home insurance and electricity rates. Proactive investment not only prevents disasters but also saves money: every $1 invested to reduce the risk of catastrophic events like wildfire saves more than $6 in damage and cleanup costs. 

As the Legislature takes up the budget, the Wildfire Solutions Coalition will continue advocating for a responsible, durable funding framework for wildfire resilience programs, while also ensuring these funds get on the ground quickly and effectively. 

Warm regards,

Brooke Rose | Coalition Coordinator