WHEREAS, The California wildfires of 2007 have garnered broad public attention due to the severity of the damage and expanse of the areas consumed by those wildfires; and

WHEREAS, The State of California has a compelling interest in reducing the threats of wildfires, including threats to lives, property, and natural resources; and

WHEREAS, The state’s increasing population and the threat of catastrophic wildfires will affect vast acres of private and public forests, wildland-urban interface, homes, and public safety; and

WHEREAS, Wildfire has become a significant threat to the state’s environmental health and public safety; and

WHEREAS, Wildfire threats present an increased challenge for efforts to reduce carbon emissions; and

WHEREAS, The California Fire Safe Council and other Fire Safe Councils play critical roles in mobilizing Californians to protect their homes, communities, and environment from wildfire; and

WHEREAS, All local Fire Safe Councils work to educate communities, provide wildfire safety planning, fire prevention, and educational programs throughout the state and remain a critical component of statewide fire protection efforts; now, therefore, be it