The state has announced $118 million in grants for fire prevention programs around the state, with a number of projects on the Central and South Coast among those funded.
The goal of the CalFire grant program is to give communities resources to prevent wildfires. More than a half dozen projects were funded in the Tri-Counties, with the region receiving more than $9 million.
Ventura County is receiving more than $350,000 to pay for the removal of more than 80 dead, or dying trees posing a fire risk around Ojai’s Soule Park.
Santa Barbara County’s Fire Safe Council is getting nearly $2 million to use sheep, and goats to safely remove brush on 3,000 acres of land in high fire danger zones.
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians received $233,000 to buy equipment for brush removal, as well as education programs.
And, San Luis Obispo County’s Fire Safe Council is getting the biggest grant in the region, $4.4 million, to reduce the fuel threat on more than 3800 acres of land.
