SACRAMENTO – (INT) – Calfire claims it’s beefing up fire prevention thanks to a controversial fee that’s entering its third year.

Property owners in rural areas are paying an average of $150 annually.

Calfire’s Daniel Berlant says this fire season has been off to an early start.

“We have not seen these type of fire conditions in decades. That’s why we’re putting so much emphasis on increasing out staffing early and getting homeowners prepared so much earlier in the year.”

Berlant says the fee covers fuel reduction activities, defensible space inspections, fire prevention engineering, emergency evacuation planning, fire hazard severity mapping, fire cause determination and arson investigation.

Efforts continue in the state Legislature to overturn the fee.

Story Date: April 24, 2014