IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 343 

Expressing support for the recognition of April 30 through May 6, 2023, 

as Wildfire Preparedness Week, the national event educating the public 

on fire safety and preparedness, and supporting the goals of a Wildfire 

Preparedness Week. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 28, 2023 

Mrs. TORRES of California (for herself, Ms. LOFGREN, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. 

SCHIFF, Ms. CHU, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. BROWNLEY, Ms. JACOBS, 

Ms. MATSUI, Mr. HARDER of California, Ms. PETTERSEN, Ms. 

BONAMICI, Ms. SA ́NCHEZ, Mr. COSTA, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. TAKANO, Mr. 

PANETTA, Mr. CA ́RDENAS, Mr. SWALWELL, Mr. BERA, Mr. THOMPSON

of California, Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. AGUILAR, and Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on Natural Resources 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the recognition of April 30 through 

May 6, 2023, 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 


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•HRES 343 IH 

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 2022, there were 68,988 wildfires that burned 

7,577,183 acres, and in California there were 7,490 

wildfires and over 362,455 acres burned; 

Whereas nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United 

States are caused by humans; 

Whereas, from January 1, 2023, there have been over 11,910 

wildfires and over 351,000 acres burned; 

Whereas the wildfire season in California increases every year 

in length and frequency of fires; 

Whereas the United States experienced a large number of 

wildfires from West Coast to East Coast; and 

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: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 343 IH 

1 (1) supports the goals of Wildfire Preparedness 

2 Week; 

3 (2) supports resources and educational initia4 tives that communicate how affected communities 

5 can take preventative measures such as instituting 

6 early warning systems and reducing unplanned 

7 human ignitions, as well as how to safely and effi8 ciently evacuating people and their animals; and 

9 (3) encourages increased awareness of and pre10 paredness for the threat of wildfires and subsequent 

11 suppression efforts. 

Æ 


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