Expressing support for the recognition of May 4 through May 10, 2025, 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 Number
- H.Res. 383
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-05: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-01T15:01:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 383) expresses congressional support for designating May 4 through May 10, 2025, as Wildfire Preparedness Week. It aims to promote public education on wildfire safety, prevention, and response to reduce risks from wildfires, which are increasingly common and destructive.
Key Provisions
- Recognition and Support: The resolution formally recognizes Wildfire Preparedness Week as a national event focused on educating people about fire safety and preparedness.
- Educational Goals: It highlights the need for awareness of wildfire threats, including health risks from smoke (such as asthma attacks, heart issues, and strokes) and dangers to firefighters (like cancer and respiratory diseases from exposure to smoke and chemicals).
- Preventive Measures: Emphasizes actions like evacuation planning for people and animals, vegetation and forest management to build resilience, and limiting fire-starting activities (e.g., fireworks, open flames) during high-risk periods.
- Data and Context: Cites 2024 wildfire statistics (64,897 fires burning over 8.9 million acres nationwide, including over 1 million acres in California) and early 2025 data (8,005 fires above the 10-year average), noting that about 85% of wildland fires are human-caused and occur across the U.S.
- Commitments: Encourages community programming, early warning systems, reducing human-caused ignitions, and efficient evacuations. It also pledges support for financial aid to communities affected by wildfires.
The resolution urges collaboration to enhance overall knowledge and preparedness, similar to other disaster awareness weeks.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It serves as a symbolic statement of support rather than creating enforceable requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Could increase public awareness and encourage personal actions like creating evacuation plans or managing home surroundings to reduce fire risks, potentially saving lives and property in wildfire-prone areas (e.g., the West Coast).
- On Government Agencies: May prompt agencies like the U.S. Forest Service or state emergency management offices to promote educational resources and programs, though without mandating funding or actions.
- On Communities and Firefighters: Supports better protection for frontline workers and aids recovery efforts post-fire, indirectly fostering resilience in affected regions.
- International Relations: No direct impact, as it focuses on domestic U.S. wildfire issues.
Overall, the resolution could lead to voluntary initiatives that reduce wildfire incidents and health burdens, especially given rising fire frequency.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- General Public: Individuals and families in wildfire-vulnerable areas, who benefit from education on prevention and evacuation.
- Firefighters and First Responders: Highlighted for their risks, with calls for better support and awareness.
- Communities and Local Governments: Rural and urban areas near wildlands, including those in states like California, Oregon, and Colorado (represented by the resolution's sponsors).
- Environmental and Health Organizations: Groups focused on disaster preparedness, public health, and forest management that could amplify the week's events.
- Federal Agencies: Such as the Department of the Interior and USDA Forest Service, which handle wildfire response and may align with the resolution's goals.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no force of law and requires no presidential approval; it only reflects the House's position and was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources for consideration.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's role in informing public policy on natural resources and disasters under Article I, without infringing on states' rights to manage local emergencies.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (with sponsors from both parties) for addressing climate-related issues like wildfires, potentially influencing future funding or legislation on disaster preparedness. It underscores growing concern over human-caused fires and health impacts, but remains symbolic without enforceable outcomes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Cosponsors (25)
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-05: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-05-05: Submitted in House
- 2025-05-05: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing support for the recognition of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as Wildfire Preparedness Week, the national event educating the public on fire safety and preparedness, and supporting the goals of a Wildfire Preparedness Week. — issued 2025-05-05 — PDF (3 pages)