May 5, 2025
Mrs. Torres of California (for herself, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Pettersen, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Peters, Mr. Mullin, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Whitesides, Ms. Jacobs, Mr. Min, Ms. Bynum, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Costa, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Salinas, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Ruiz, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Case, Ms. Barragán, Ms. Chu, Mr. Correa, Mr. Levin, and Ms. Hoyle of Oregon) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
Expressing support for the recognition of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as Wildfire Preparedness Week, the national event educating the public on fire safety and preparedness, and supporting the goals of a Wildfire Preparedness Week.
Whereas Wildfire Preparedness Week increases awareness of the threat of wildfires and knowledge of lifesaving tactics;
Whereas Wildfire Preparedness Week, like other designated weeks or days for natural disasters, promotes educational initiatives, encourages community programming, and increases overall knowledge and preparedness;
Whereas the effects of long-term exposure to wildfire smoke will harm more people, as particle pollution triggers asthma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes, and can kill;
Whereas firefighters are on the frontlines and are at an increased risk of developing cancer and respiratory diseases because they are exposed to smoke and hazardous chemicals in the line of duty;
Whereas, in 2024, 64,897 wildfires burned in the United States, consuming a total of 8,924,884 acres, and in California there were 8,024 wildfires that burned for a total of 1,050,012 acres;
Whereas nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans;
Whereas, so far in 2025, 8,005 wildfires have burned 168,4768 acres across the United States, which is above the 10-year average of 5,753 wildfires;
Whereas the United States experienced a large number of wildfires from West Coast to East Coast;
Whereas preventative measures exist to help individuals and communities increase their fire resilience through—
(1)
evacuation planning and assistance for people and their animals;
(2)
vegetation and forest management; and
(3)
limited use of combustibles during high heat or drier seasons, including fireworks, exhaust, and open flames; and
Whereas we commit to working together to financially support communities directly during and after a catastrophic firestorm: Now, therefore, be it
Sec.
That the House of Representatives—
(1)
supports the goals of Wildfire Preparedness Week;
(2)
supports resources and educational initiatives that communicate how affected communities can take preventative measures such as instituting early warning systems and reducing unplanned human ignitions, as well as how to safely and efficiently evacuating people and their animals; and
(3)
encourages increased awareness of and preparedness for the threat of wildfires and subsequent suppression efforts.