California is looking to cut red tape on projects aimed at stopping wildfires along the state’s roadways. Senator Bill Dodd’s legislation would streamline the process for clearing combustible brush and trees alongside roads. The bill requires the Natural Resources Agency to consider granting environmental quality exemptions to any roadside vegetation management project undertaken solely for wildfire risk reduction. Dodd says “Roadside ignitions are a significant source of wildfires when a spark from a passing vehicle, or cigarette comes into contact with dry brush and grass.” The bill passed the Senate Environmental Quality committee with unanimous support.