A US Senate committee advances the Fix Our Forests Act in order to cut wildfire risk and boost timber access.
According to US senator Alex Padilla, this is one of the most significant steps forward in federal wildfire policy in recent decades streamlines processes to protect communities while restoring forest health
The bipartisan legislation would help combat catastrophic wildfires, restore forest ecosystems, and make federal forest management more efficient.
The comprehensive Senate bill reflects months of bipartisan Senate negotiations to find consensus on how to holistically respond to the wildfire crisis, best improve forest management practices, accelerate efforts to protect communities, advance watershed restoration, and strengthen partnerships between federal agencies, states, Tribes, and private stakeholders. The Senate version of the bill would also bolster coordination efforts across federal agencies through a new Wildfire Intelligence Center..
“The status quo around wildfires isn’t working and far too many Americans have paid the price,” said Senator Padilla. “The families I’ve met who have lost everything to the devastation in Los Angeles and in wildfire disasters across the country deserve action. That’s why we’re coming together to confront this crisis and rethink how we prevent and respond. Today’s advancement of our bipartisan bill is real progress toward protecting Americans and our environment through forward-thinking, practical wildfire solutions.”
“In Utah and across the West, we face a growing crisis of overgrown, unhealthy forests. Thanks to the cooperation of both parties, we are confronting the challenge head on and now one step closer to passing legislation that will deliver essential tools to combat wildfires, restore forest ecosystems, and make federal forest management more efficient and responsive. I commend the Committee’s action and look forward to the bill’s swift passage by the full Senate,” said Senator Curtis.
“There is a wildfire crisis across much of the country – our communities need action now,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Wildfires won’t wait. After bipartisan committee passage, the next step is a full Senate vote. The Fix Our Forests Act will make our communities and environment more resilient.”
