Sen. Dodd’s Wildfire Warning Center Plan Advances

SACRAMENTO, California, April 24 -- The California Senate Democrats issued the following news release:

Legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would establish the California Wildfire Warning Center, a statewide network of automated weather and environmental monitoring stations conducting fire-weather forecasting and threat assessment to aid in wildfire prevention and response, cleared a key committee today.

"This bill is the kind of statewide, early-warning system California needs to prevent future disasters and save lives," Sen. Dodd said. "It offers a cohesive defense against the effects of climate change and extreme weather, which have been responsible for some of the worst disasters ever experienced by this state."

Senate Bill 209 creates the California Wildfire Warning Center to be overseen by three agencies: The California Public Utilities Commission, the office of Emergency Services and Cal Fire. It builds on existing systems and will be responsible for the ongoing monitoring of fire weather and threat conditions, as well as for ongoing improvement of fire forecasting models. The CWWC will work with investor-owned utilities, which will be required to install weather-monitoring equipment throughout their systems.

The bill cleared the Senate's Energy, Utilities and Communications committee today with overwhelming support.

It was the second disaster or wildfire-related bill from Sen. Dodd to advance this week. Tuesday, Senate Bill 247, which creates critical oversight for vegetation management near electric lines, passed the Senate Natural Resources and Water committee. The bill would have Cal Fire inspect work performed by Pacific Gas & Electric Company and other utilities, providing independent review to ensure public safety.