PG&E Provides $130K Grant To Napa Communities Firewise Foundation

NAPA, CA — Pacific Gas and Electric Company has awarded a $130,000 grant to the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation to support priority fuel reduction projects for the Deer Park and Soda Canyon Fire Safe Councils in Napa County.

The funding is part of a larger collaboration with local Fire Safe Councils and other nonprofits across Northern and Central California in connection with the 2020 wildfire season. PG&E is providing $2.3 million this fire season to fund 41 projects across 28 counties to reduce the threat of wildfires and help keep communities safe, company officials said Tuesday in a news release.

"The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is PG&E’s most important responsibility and we are once again committed to supporting local wildfire prevention efforts in the North Bay," said Joe Horak, senior manager of PG&E’s North Bay and Sonoma Divisions. "This collaboration among PG&E and local Fire Safe Councils will help the communities we serve prevent and prepare for wildfires."

Projects funded through the collaboration must be completed by November.

Locally, Napa Communities Firewise Foundation members are clearing hazardous trees and shrubs along wildfire evacuation routes from St. Helena down to Yountville.

"We are grateful for the funds from PG&E, as this work will help create shaded fuel breaks on Crystal Springs Road, a key evacuation route for the communities in Deer Park and Angwin as well as the St Helena Hospital," said Joe Nordlinger, vice president of grants for Napa Communities Firewise Foundation.

"Additionally, these funds will reduce fuel along Soda Canyon Road which sustained substantial tree mortality as a result of the 2017 Atlas fire," Nordlinger said. "Along both roads there are significant stretches that include heavy fuel loading near powerlines. We’ll be clearing the brush and ladder fuels for safe ingress and egress to critical infrastructure like Bell Canyon reservoir, the St. Helena Hospital and the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department."