Wildfire grant unveiled

WORDS TO THE WISE—Rudy Ortega, Mission Indians tribal leader, speaks at a May 14 funding announcement. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers

In Southern California, if it’s not raining it’s wildfire season. Shorter wet seasons and higher temperatures have made fire a year-round threat in the local mountains, but the risk can be managed.

A recent $12-million grant given to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy will go a long way in that fight.

The money is part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new $53...