Expressing support for the recognition of May 5 through May 11, 2024, as Wildfire Preparedness Week, the national event educating the public on fire safety and preparedness, and supporting the goals of a Wildfire Preparedness Week.

Bill: 118-hres-1202
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Introduced: 2024-05-06
Policy area: Emergency Management
Latest action: action_date: 2024-05-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summaries:

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1202 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 6, 2024 Mrs. Torres of California (for herself, Mr. Huffman , and Ms. Jacobs ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Expressing support for the recognition of May 5 through May 11, 2024, 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 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 2023, there were 56,580 wildfires that burned 2,693,910 acres, and in California there were 7,127 wildfires and over 324,917 acres burned; Whereas nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans; Whereas, from January 1, 2024, there have been over 11,523 wildfires and over 1,802,756 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

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.