NEWS: In Response to Devastating LA Wildfires, House Passes Largest Wildfire Prevention Bill in History

More than 50,000 acres have been burned and 15,000 structures have been destroyed in Southern California megafires

Rep. Harder’s historic bill passes with broad bipartisan support 
 

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Above: Rep. Harder speaks on the House floor announcing the bill’s passage

WASHINGTON – As local fire departments continue to battle megafires in Southern California, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that his historic wildfire prevention bill passed the U.S. House with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Fix Our Forests Act will cut bureaucratic red tape, upgrade wildfire prevention technology, tackle the dangerous firefighter shortage, and speed up funding to local fire departments.

“It is now clear to the entire country that megafires are an existential crisis for our families. We can no longer bury our heads in the sand - we need long term, comprehensive action to stop this from ever happening again,” said Rep. Harder. “We passed a historic, once in a generation bill to finally get our firefighters the resources they need to proactively prevent these devastating megafires. Our families deserve to feel safe, and I pray that the Senate now answers the call to get this done.”

Harder’s historic bill will:

• Cut bureaucratic red tape that is holding up forest and land management projects.
• Upgrade technology to prevent fires before they start by establishing a first-of-its-kind Fireshed Center to provide comprehensive fire assessment, prediction, and recovery information before, during, and after a wildfire takes place.
• Fight the dangerous firefighter shortage by expanding resources and support for injured, ill, and deceased firefighters, as well as their loved ones.
• Support local fire departments by speeding up reimbursements for departments who answer the call for fires on federal lands.
• Protect local communities by prioritizing forests and communities at the highest risk of wildfire while better coordinating existing programs.

Harder helped introduce the Fix Our Forests Act with House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and a bipartisan coalition of more than 50 Members.

Watch Harder’s speech on the House floor celebrating passage of this legislation here.

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