Bipartisan Bill Aims to Modernize US Wildfire Management, Support Firefighters

Smoke billows over a road during the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Texas panhandle on Feb. 27, 2024. (Texas A&M Forest Service via Getty Images)

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a legislative package that would boost the hiring of firefighters, better coordinate wildfire response, and monitor air quality nationwide in real time to counter the mounting loss of life and property due to wildland fires.

Reps. Josh Harder (D-Calif), Scott Franklin (R-Fla.), and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) introduced the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act on June 10 to counter the threat of wildfires and better combat megafires through measures supported by both Republicans and Democrats.

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicate that 66,255 wildfires burned a combined 7,534,403 acres in the United States in 2022. Lawmakers worked with wildfire crisis experts and firefighting agencies to develop the legislation

“Last week a wildfire came within a mile of my home,” Mr. Harder said in the press release. “More than 14,000 acres burned and 400 firefighters risked their lives to contain it. We no longer have a wildfire season in California—it’s a year-round crisis. We cannot wait another day to tackle this threat.”

The Corral fire caused evacuations and road closures for days until it was contained on June 6. Two firefighters were injured. Currently, California’s fire tracking website shows seven active fires being fought in the state, two of which are fully contained.

The bill would establish a Middle Fire Leaders Academy for rapid training and certification of emerging wildfire and fire leaders. It also creates a grant program for colleges and vocational programs to support fire mitigation, response, and recovery workers.

The bill’s four-part approach aims to strengthen wildfire prevention and response through several key initiatives. First, it seeks to combat firefighter shortages via the new academy and create grant programs to train and hire more firefighters.

“As a father of a wildland firefighter, I’m pleased to join Reps. Harder and Neguse to modernize and innovate our approach to wildfire management.,“ Mr. Franklin said. ”This comprehensive package will invest in new wildfire mitigation technologies and ensure permanent solutions to current and future workforce challenges.”

The bill also proposes increased benefits and better working conditions to retain expert wildland firefighters.

Improving fire response time is another focus. The bill plans to use updated technology, such as the development of advanced risk maps that can predict wildfire behavior, and establish the Joint Office of Fire Environment Center to better coordinate fire response.

Additionally, the bill would implement a nationwide real-time air quality monitoring and alert system to help mitigate public health problems caused by wildfire smoke.

“From Colorado to California, wildfires have become a pervasive issue across the West,“ Mr. Neguse said. ”It’s time for a bold approach to equip our communities with the tools they need to mitigate against the impacts of these fires.”