Title: Expressing support for the recognition of May 1 through May 7, 2022, as Wildfire Preparedness Week, the national event educating the public on fire safety and preparedness, and supporting the goals of a Wildfire Preparedness Week.
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
This resolution supports (1) the goals of Wildfire Preparedness Week; and (2) 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 evacuate people and their animals.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1081 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1081

Expressing support for the recognition of May 1 through May 7, 2022, 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 29, 2022

 Mrs. Torres of California (for herself, Mr. Aguilar, Mr. Takano, Ms. 
Matsui, Mr. Costa, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Vargas, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Huffman, 
 Ms. Chu, Ms. Jacobs of California, Mr. Levin of California, Ms. Bass, 
Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Swalwell, Mr. Cardenas, Mr. Correa, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. 
Lee of California, Mr. Harder of California, Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lieu, Mr. 
    Carbajal, Ms. Lofgren, and Mr. Schiff) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the recognition of May 1 through May 7, 2022, 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 Wildfire Preparedness Week aligns with the State of California and 
        President Biden's suppression efforts through resource management and 
        bolsters the economy by creating a more permanent firefighting 
        workforce;
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 2021, there were 58,985 wildfires that burned 7,125,643 acres, with 
        8,835 wildfires and over 2,600,000 acres burned in California, over 
        674,222 acres burned in Washington, and 828,777 acres burned in Oregon;
Whereas nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by 
        humans;
Whereas, since January 2, 2022, 20,006 wildfires have burned 834,238 acres in 
        the United States;
Whereas the wildfire season in California increases every year in length and 
        frequency of fires; 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

    Resolved, 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.
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