East Bay parks receive $13.5M to clear dying trees, update fire prevention gear

The East Bay Regional Park District has received $13.5 million from the state to improve its ability to fight wildfires and remove fuels like dead and dying trees, district officials said.

The district will use $10 million of the direct appropriation to remove potential fuels from parks around the region while the remaining $3.5 million will be used to buy and replace fire-combating equipment like the district’s aging helicopter.