June 13, 2024 - WASHINGTON – Rep. Josh Harder (CA-9) and Reps. Scott Franklin (FL-18) and Joe Neguse (CO-2) have introduced a first-of-its-kind bill to modernize how the United States combats the wildfire crisis. Rep. Harder has been working on this comprehensive package for almost a year alongside wildfire experts, firefighting agencies, and members of both parties. This landmark bill will be the first time the federal government has taken an all-the-above approach to dealing with the wildfire crisis by modernizing existing fire prevention efforts and responding directly to the needs of firefighters, wildfire experts, and public health officials.

The Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act takes a four-part approach to combating the dangerous rise in megafires:

1. Combat firefighter shortages by establishing a new Middle Fire Leaders Academy and grant programs to train and hire more firefighters

2. Retain expert wildland firefighters with increased benefits and better working conditions

3. Improve fire response time with updated technology like developing risk maps and establishing the Joint Office of Fire Environment Center

4. Address the public health crisis caused by wildfire smoke by establishing a nationwide real-time air quality monitoring and alert system 

“Last week a wildfire came within a mile of my home. 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,” said Rep. Harder. “Alongside our bipartisan partners, we’ve put together a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive bill to finally fight this crisis head-on. Our families and our communities are counting on us to get this bill passed.” 

“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,” said Congressman Franklin. “This comprehensive package will invest in new wildfire mitigation technologies and ensure permanent solutions to current and future workforce challenges.”

“From Colorado to California, wildfires have become a pervasive issue across the West – and with these disasters taking place year round, it’s time for a bold approach to equip our communities with the tools they need to mitigate against the impacts of these fires. I am proud to join Rep. Harder in introducing the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act, and commend him for introducing a legislative proposal that truly invests in wildfire mitigation and resiliency, our wildland firefighting workforce, and helping communities recover,” said House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse.

"We're in a wildfire crisis and each year our fire seasons only intensify," said Rep. Thompson. "This legislation is an opportunity to address the impacts of these blazes head-on. I appreciate Rep. Harder’s leadership on this critical bill and I'm proud to join him and a bipartisan group of my colleagues to introduce much-needed legislation to support firefighters and help keep communities safe.”

“Wildfires are becoming more severe due to climate change, and we must do more to protect our communities and make sure firefighters have the tools and support they need,” said Rep. Hoyle. “I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Bipartisan Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act, which would help address this crisis in Oregon’s Fourth District and around the country.” 

The Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act was written in response to the independent Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission’s 148-page report recommending policies to end the wildfire crisis. Reps. Greg Stanton (AZ-4), Mike Thompson (CA-4), John Garamendi (CA-8), and Val Hoyle (OR-4) are also original co-sponsors of this bill.

A one-pager on the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act is available HEREand the full bill text is available HERE.

The Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act is endorsed by: International Association of Fire Fighters, Megafire Action, National Federation of Federal Employees, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, International Association of Emergency Managers, National Emergency Management Association, Federation of American Scientists, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, The Nature Conservancy, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, BuildStrong America, Forest Stewards Guild, the Environmental Defense Fund, and Commissioner Dr. Kari Nadeau.

"The frequency and severity of wildfires continues to put fire fighters, and the communities they serve, at risk. Many areas of the country and many of our members, who never had to battle this threat to life and property, are in desperate need of additional tools to confront this danger. Our union is proud to endorse the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act of 2024 and applauds Rep. Josh Harder and Rep. Scott Franklin for developing this bipartisan bill. The legislation will provide critical wildfire-response training for structural fire fighters, expand research on protecting fire fighters from carcinogenic exposures during wildfire response, and improve our wildfire coordination efforts. We urge Congress to pass this bill and give our fire fighters the resources they need," said IAFF General President Edward A. Kelly.

“The Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act is a comprehensive and sensible approach to how the federal government should respond the evolving wildfire crisis. Experts from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission laid out their recommendations, and now is the time to put those strategies into action. This legislation will greatly impact recruitment and retention of skilled personnel, with critical support mechanisms for the wellbeing of wildland firefighters at the forefront of this crisis. It will also equip the workforce with the necessary technologies and resources to safely protect our communities from wildfires. This legislation is crucial to ensuring we can properly combat the wildfire crisis," said Randy Erwin, National President, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE).

“We know what we need to do to end the megafire crisis, part of the challenge is effectively leveraging technology to predict, detect, and prevent megafire. The Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act does this by recognizing the urgency of this crisis and deploying concrete investments in fire technology, bolstering and supporting the wildland fire workforce, and increasing smoke monitoring and mitigation capabilities.” said Matt Weiner, CEO of Megafire Action.

"This bill promotes innovative approaches to reducing the negative effects of wildfires through large-scale systematic modernization and leveraging of cutting-edge technology. Additionally, it designates essential improvements to the career development of federal wildland firefighters so that they may be less hindered in their pursuit of becoming the highly professional and specialized emergency responders that this new era of wildfire demands," said Luke Mayfield, President of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters.

"The Alliance for Wildfire Resilience is thrilled to see so many of the Commission recommendations included in the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act and is happy to endorse this critical legislation that is built from the foundation of the Commision and that will improve the nation’s wildfire risk reduction, response, and recovery efforts," said Tyson Bertone-Riggs, Managing Director of the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience.

“As the wildfire crisis continues to grow in size and severity, our solutions must be ambitious to meet the moment. The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission developed 148 non-partisan policy recommendations to tackle this crisis and the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act is a bold and bipartisan package that incorporates a number of the Commission’s recommendations.” said Daniel Correa, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation of American Scientists. “Rep. Harder, Rep. Franklin and Rep. Neguse have put forth a multi-pronged innovative approach to tackle the wildfire crisis. In particular, the creation of the Fire Environment Center is a game changer for land and fuels management, community risk reduction, fire management and response.”

"The Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition (RVCC) applauds the introduction of the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act. This important legislation addresses many of the recommendations of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission's final report, specifically on wildfire workforce development, interagency collaboration, and smoke impacts. We urge Congress to provide these critical resources to our communities by advancing this legislation," said Laurel Harkness, Coalition Director, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition. 

“The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission provided a unique opportunity for a broad audience of stakeholders to participate in shaping how the federal government handles wildfires in the future.  The risk of wildfire is a dynamic one affecting countless states across the county.  The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) represents the state emergency management directors of the 50 states, Territories, and District of Columbia.  We applaud the bipartisan support of Representatives Harder, Neguse, and Franklin in introducing the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act of 2024 which works to codify many of the 148 recommendations made in the Commission report and will bring about much needed improvements in the response to wildfires nationwide.  We particularly appreciate the inclusion of language requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update critical response and mitigation guidance and allow for the rollover of management costs between federal disaster declarations,” said Russell J. Strickland, NEMA President and Secretary of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management.

"BuildStrong America commends Representatives Harder, Neguse, and Franklin for their leadership in introducing the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act of 2024. This critical legislation will enhance our nation’s ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the growing threat of wildfires, ensuring the safety and resilience of our communities. We are proud to support this vital initiative and its commitment to safeguarding lives and properties from the devastating impact of wildfires," said Dr. Natalie Enclade, Executive Director, BuildStrong America.

“The International Association of Emergency Managers is pleased to endorse the bipartisan Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act, and we applaud Representatives Harder, Neguse, and Franklin for their collaborative approach in addressing the proliferation of disastrous wildfires.  There is no easy fix, but this package offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the needs of the wildfire crisis by developing the wildland fire workforce and providing that workforce the resources they need to protect lives and property.  By prioritizing collaboration, innovation, and community resilience, this act represents a significant step forward in mitigating the devastating impacts of wildfires and safeguarding lives, property, and natural landscapes. We urge lawmakers to support this vital legislation, recognizing its potential to enhance our collective ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfires effectively,” said Mary Jo Flynn-Nevins, Chief of Emergency Services, Sacramento County and Chair of IAEM Government Affairs Committee.

"The Climate & Wildfire Institute (CWI) and The Stewardship Project (TSP), a project supported by CWI, are pleased to see the bipartisan introduction of the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act.  

This legislation codifies several important recommendations from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission’s final report, including those that support increased beneficial fire use. Specifically, the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act provides strong support to the wildland fire workforce and better understand the public health impacts of wildfire smoke exposure through the establishment of a Middle Fire Leaders Academy, a workforce grant program, a national smoke monitoring and alert system, and more.

TSP and CWI commend Representatives Harder, Neguse, and Franklin on introducing this vital legislation and urge its passage," said Sara A. Clark, Project Co-Lead.
Source: Congressman Josh Harder