Harder Co-Leads Resolution to Declare This Week Wildfire Preparedness Week

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Josh Harder co-lead the introduction of a resolution to declare this week Wildfire Preparedness Week. This effort, also reflected in declarations from Cal Fire and its partners, will be dedicated to educating the public on fire safety and preparedness.

Scientific American recently called California’s upcoming wildfire season “cataclysmic” and “a recipe for disaster.” Last year wildfires burned more than 3 million acres in the state, nearly a total land mass the size of Connecticut. This as the second highest total burn in state history, only beaten by the previous year, 2020.

“The threat of wildfires and the smoke they create is existential here in our community. This is about the health and safety of our kids, our neighborhoods, and our economy,” said Rep. Harder. “So today I’m proud to introduce a resolution declaring this week Wildfire Preparedness week so everyone knows how to prevent these fires from happening and stay safe if god forbid there’s an emergency.”

This continues Rep. Harder’s ongoing efforts to protect the Central Valley from the deadly threat of wildfires and the smoke they create. Rep. Harder has successfully pushed President Biden to raise firefighter pay, introduced legislation to immediately address the wildfire emergency in California, and held a roundtable with local chiefs to discuss wildfire fighting and prevention. Last week, Rep. Harder urged his colleagues to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill in order to deliver a historic $3.4 billion in new funding to fight wildfires.

Read the resolution online here.

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