L.A. Times: Cal Fire Hid Millions Of Dollars - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Times is reporting the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection hid millions of dollars from legal settlements instead of depositing it into the state's general fund.

The newspaper said Cal Fire kept $3.6 million. According to records and interviews, the department used the cash for equipment purchases and training purposes.

The Times said the Department of Finance plans to investigate.

This surfaces after Cal Fire started charging some homeowners a $115-$150 fire protection fee.

The fee was handed down last year by the Legislature for people who live in rural areas that rely on Cal Fire for fire prevention and protection.