Title: Expressing support for the recognition of August 22 through 28, 2021, 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 prevent wildfires and react during a wildfire.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 591 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 591

 Expressing support for the recognition of August 22 through 28, 2021, 
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

                            August 17, 2021

 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. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Gomez, Ms. Bass, Ms. Waters, Ms. 
  Brownley, Mr. Cardenas, Mr. Correa, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Lieu, Ms. 
   Sanchez, Mr. Lowenthal, Ms. Porter, Ms. Speier, Ms. Barragan, Mr. 
    Garamendi, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Swalwell, Mr. Thompson of 
 California, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Lofgren, and Mr. Levin of 
 California) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the recognition of August 22 through 28, 2021, 
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 2020, wildfires burned more than 4 million acres across California, 
        over 1 million acres in Oregon, and over 840,000 acres in Washington;
Whereas nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by 
        humans;
Whereas from January 1, 2021, through July 14, 2021, there have been over 4,000 
        fires and over 142,000 acres burned 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;

    (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 prevent wildfires and 
        react during a wildfire; and
            (3) encourages increased awareness of and preparedness for 
        the threat of wildfires and subsequent suppression efforts.
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