The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner has submitted a request to Cal FIRE to receive a grant to offset the costs of removal of dead and diseased trees throughout the County. In recent years, the infestation of Invasive Shot Hole Borers in area trees have resulted in infected trees – either weakening them or causing them to die. When this happens, it’s important to get tree service removal California to ensure that more trees don’t get affected and to improve the safety of the public as they present an increased fire hazard to already dry vegetation during the traditional fire season. The grant, which assists with the removal and disposal of infected trees is available in the amount of $596,064.
“Since dead and dying trees are a concern for fire, and since our county has already suffered through significant wildfires in the last three years, this grant is critical for our county”, said Ed Williams, Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner. “The funding will provide support to help detect infected trees, prevent future infestation, and support suppression or cure efforts. This is a significant step to help support wildfire prevention and suppression.”
The Invasive Shot Hole Borer is a wood-boring beetle that attacks many tree species in Southern California. Trees both within urban and wildland environments are susceptible to the infestation. The State of California has provided $5 million to Cal FIRE to support counties in the removal of dead or diseased trees in an effort to mitigate increasing fire hazards across the state. A majority of the funding available has been offered to eight counties, of which Ventura County is included.
