Title: Honoring the individuals fighting and the individuals who have fallen responding to wildland fires during the ongoing 2021 wildfire season.
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of the wildland firefighters who have risked their lives to fight intense wildfires in 2021.
The resolution also (1) expresses support for communities throughout the West as they focus on recovery and rebuilding areas and communities affected by wildfires, and (2) extends gratitude to the families and loved ones of wildland firefighters for supporting the wildland firefighter community.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 792 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 792

 Honoring the individuals fighting and the individuals who have fallen 
 responding to wildland fires during the ongoing 2021 wildfire season.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 12, 2021

    Mr. Harder of California (for himself and Ms. Herrera Beutler) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                          on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the individuals fighting and the individuals who have fallen 
 responding to wildland fires during the ongoing 2021 wildfire season.

Whereas more than 5,000,000 acres have burned in wildfire in 2021;
Whereas changing climates, resulting in long-term trends of warmer and drier 
        weather, and mismanagement of the forests of the United States are 
        exacerbating the threat of wildfires and contributing to the greater 
        than normal fire activity in Western States, resulting in dangerous 
        conditions for wildland firefighters;
Whereas more than 16,000 personnel have been assigned to contain and combat the 
        fires that threaten the West;
Whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated the 
        public health and public safety risks inherent in combating wildfires;
 Whereas Federal job classification and pay levels for wildland firefighters 
        were established more than 30 years ago and should be re-evaluated based 
        on the current wildfire risk and job market; and
Whereas wildland firefighters, first responders, sheriffs, and community leaders 
        have acted bravely and risked their lives to contain dangerous wildfires 
        across the United States to protect families and critical 
        infrastructure: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of the wildland 
        firefighters who have risked their lives to fight intense 
        wildfires in 2021;
            (2) honors the bravery and heroism of the men and women 
        assisting in responding to and combating wildfires;
            (3) expresses appreciation and gratitude to firefighters 
        for protecting lives and property in the United States during 
        the ongoing 2021 wildfire season;
            (4) expresses full support for communities throughout the 
        West as those communities focus on recovery and rebuilding 
        areas and communities affected by wildfires; and
            (5) extends gratitude and appreciation to the families and 
        loved ones of wildland firefighters for their important role in 
        supporting the wildland firefighter community.
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