Sen. Padilla advocates wildfire combating resources

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) is imploring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the solicitation of resources to combat California wildfires.

During a recent Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) hearing, Padilla questioned Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas regarding resource solicitation, inquiring about how DHS would address acquiring resources and support needed to fight wildfires and reduce future risk statewide.

Mayorkas responded by acknowledging DHS no longer experiences, but amid climate change, experiencing fires throughout the year. Additionally, Mayorkas shared with Padilla the DHS budget requests additional funding to support FEMA firefighting efforts.

“Our office of science and technology is working on innovative technology to best detect the probability that a fire will start within a proximate period of time and be able to assess the potential magnitude of that anticipated fire,” Mayorkas said. “We are using technology, and we are seeking resources to fund our state and local tribal territorial partners. And our budget requests additional funding for this purpose.”

During the hearing, Padilla indicated California’s 2020 wildfire season was the worst on record, with the state experiencing 10,000 fire incidents, more than 4.2 million acres burned, and more than 10,000 structures damaged or destroyed. He said, this year, there are already seven large fires burning in California.

“Now is the time for increased funding, support, and understanding for the unprecedented times that we’re living,” Padilla said. “Particularly as we see the drought conditions in California.”