On April 21st, MySafe:Riverside Executive Director David Barrett traveled to Sacramento to advocate for ongoing wildfire prevention support and to gain deeper insights into the implementation of Proposition 4, California’s new wildfire and climate resilience bond measure. Representing both MySafe:Riverside and MySafe:LA, Barrett joined a coalition of wildfire safety and land management leaders working to ensure proactive, science-based approaches are embedded in California’s next steps for wildfire mitigation.
Among the leaders accompanying him was Michael O’Connell, Executive Director of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC)—a key nonprofit stewarding land and fire resilience across Orange County. O’Connell played a central role during the day’s events, presenting testimony at the Proposition 4 subcommittee hearing to underscore the urgent need for sustainable funding and cooperative strategies that bolster defensible space, ecological restoration, and home hardening.
Key Meetings and Legislative Conversations
Beyond the subcommittee proceedings, the delegation met with Dr. Jacy Hyde, Executive Director of the California Fire Safe Council, to discuss collaborative approaches to strengthening local Fire Safe Councils across Southern California. Barrett also held constructive conversations with leadership from both CAL FIRE and CalOES, focusing on how state-level initiatives can better align with regional implementation strategies.
A recurring theme throughout the day’s discussions was the emerging law surrounding the “ember-resistant zone”—a key concept that redefines defensible space requirements by emphasizing non-combustible buffers immediately adjacent to structures. As the legislative framework around this concept evolves, organizations like MySafe:Riverside are committed to ensuring communities and homeowners are fully equipped with the guidance and support needed to comply and remain safe.
Cross-County Collaboration and Forward Momentum
The Sacramento visit helped solidify cross-county coordination between efforts underway in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, Kern, and Ventura counties. Each of these regions faces its own wildfire risk challenges, but they also share common goals: community education, equitable funding access, and evidence-based fire mitigation strategies.
“This is just one of many steps in the process of building wildfire-resilient communities,” said Barrett. “The more we can align our efforts across agencies, counties, and sectors, the stronger our position will be in protecting Californians and their homes.”
MySafe:Riverside continues to work at both the local and state level to ensure wildfire safety remains a legislative and operational priority. Through partnerships, advocacy, and education, the path toward resilience grows clearer—and more attainable—with every step forward.
