Bill seeks to bolster wildfire protection

U.S. Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Mike Simpson (R-ID) recently introduced a measure they said is designed to protect communities from the catastrophic impact of wildfires.

The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2021 would invest in hazardous fuels management by increasing the pace and scale of prescribed burns while also creating a preseason controlled burn workforce and streamlining smoke regulations in winter months.

“Failure to proactively address the health of our forests directly contributes to record-breaking wildfires every year, destroying our lands and communities,” Schrader said. “Last fire season was especially destructive in Western Oregon, coming at great personal losses and financial costs that could have been mitigated with more robust investments in active forest management. By implementing consistent policy around proactive fuel treatment measures like prescribed burns, the National Prescribed Fire Act will help us begin to tackle the current hazardous fuels backlog to reduce the number and severity of wildfires.”

Schrier said wildfires have gotten worse throughout the west annually, destroying communities and public lands. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

“This year, there have already been more than 200 fires in Washington State, and wildfire season has only just begun,” Schrier said. “During the off-season, it is crucial that we work to mitigate the potential for future wildfire and improve forest health in order to protect our communities. I’m so proud to partner with Sen. Wyden to introduce legislation to support pre-fire season controlled burns as an essential, science-based strategy for reducing hazardous fuels to mitigate the worst effects of wildfire.”