Designating May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month".
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 467
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-01T23:42:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 467) aims to designate May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month" to raise public awareness about the growing threat of wildfires, promote education on prevention and mitigation strategies, and encourage proactive measures to reduce risks and damages from wildfires across the United States.
Key Provisions
- Background and Rationale: The resolution highlights the increasing scale, frequency, and severity of wildfires in the U.S., including data on recent fire seasons (e.g., averages from 2015–2024 and early 2025), human causes (nearly 85% of fires), high suppression costs (over $2.5 billion annually), and health risks to firefighters and communities from smoke and chemicals.
- Preventative Measures Emphasized: It outlines practical steps for resilience, such as using fire-resistant building materials, maintaining vegetation around homes, community planning for firefighter access, evacuation plans (including for animals), forest management, and limiting fire-starting activities like fireworks during dry periods.
- Resolution Actions:
- Expresses the House of Representatives' support for the designation of "National Wildfire Preparedness Month."
- Encourages awareness and preparedness efforts at federal, state, local, and Tribal levels (including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities), as well as by nongovernmental organizations and communities.
- Supports resources and educational programs focused on home protection ("home hardening"), land management to remove flammable vegetation, early warning systems, reducing human-caused ignitions, minimizing health impacts from smoke, and safe evacuations.
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 expression of congressional intent rather than enforceable legislation.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Could increase public knowledge and adoption of wildfire prevention practices, potentially reducing property damage, health risks (e.g., from smoke-related illnesses like asthma or heart issues), and loss of life in fire-prone areas.
- On Government Agencies: May prompt federal agencies (e.g., those involved in wildfire suppression like the U.S. Forest Service) to allocate resources for education and planning, though without mandated funding. State and local governments might see heightened community engagement in mitigation efforts.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the focus is domestic, but it could indirectly support U.S. leadership in global wildfire management discussions, given shared risks in regions like Canada or Australia.
- Broader Effects: By promoting proactive strategies, it may help lower long-term wildfire costs (estimated in tens to hundreds of billions annually) and support firefighters facing elevated health risks.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Communities and Individuals: Residents in wildfire-vulnerable areas (e.g., Western U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, territories), including those in urban-wildland interfaces, who benefit from education on home safety and evacuation.
- Firefighters and First Responders: Highlighted for their risks, with calls for better preparedness to protect their health.
- Government Entities: Federal (e.g., natural resources agencies), state, local, and Tribal governments, including Native communities, tasked with awareness and mitigation.
- Nongovernmental Organizations: Groups focused on environmental protection, disaster response, and education that could lead community programs.
- Businesses and Homeowners: Those involved in construction, land management, or agriculture, encouraged to adopt fire-resistant practices.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no binding force and does not require presidential approval or Senate concurrence, limiting it to guiding House activities without creating new rights or obligations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to express policy preferences under Article I, but raises no constitutional challenges.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by representatives from both parties) for addressing climate-exacerbated wildfire risks, potentially influencing future funding bills or policies on disaster preparedness. It underscores the need for investments in mitigation amid rising fire threats, without partisan controversy.
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 (3)
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-03: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-06-03: Submitted in House
- 2025-06-03: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Designating May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month". — issued 2025-06-03 — PDF (4 pages)