strategicplan2019-final - Flipbook - Page 12
sequestration, and greenhouse gas emissions as they relate to the State’s forests.
CAL FIRE actively promotes and conducts research on innovative new wood products such as mass timber, on sustainable forest management practices in the face
of an uncertain climate future.
PREVENTION AND REGULATORY OVERSIGHT
The Department provides direction for fire
prevention and enforcement of the Public
Resources Code (PRC) within the SRA using
fire resource assessments, a variety of available data, mapping, and other tools. Pre-fire
management activities, including prescribed
burning, fuel breaks, forest health treatments,
and removal of hazardous vegetation, are conducted at the unit level under the guidance of
Department program managers.
The Department leads fire prevention planning and inspection efforts; regulates
buildings in which people live, congregate, or are confined; controls hazardous
substances and products; and regulates hazardous liquid pipelines. It also delivers
Land Use Planning and Defensible Space Inspection programs to the local level
across the State.
To enforce State fire and forest laws, the Department has law enforcement
staff who are trained and certified in accordance with California Peace Officer
Standardized Training (POST). CAL FIRE investigators determine wildland fire
causes, interview witnesses, issue citations, and set up surveillance operations.
Additionally, law enforcement staff assist local fire and law enforcement agencies
when requested in arson, bomb, fireworks, and other investigations, as well
as disposal of explosives. Arson and bomb specialists provide fire and bomb
investigation services to State-owned facilities, and assist local government fire
and law agencies.
8