A resolution designating May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month".

Bill Number: S.Res. 247
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Emergency Management
Status: Passed Senate
Latest Action: 2025-06-16: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Last Updated: 2026-07-06T18:06:18Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 247) aims to raise national awareness about the growing threat of wildfires in the United States by officially designating May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month." It highlights the increasing frequency, scale, and costs of wildfires, while promoting education, prevention, and community resilience to reduce risks to people, property, and the environment.

Key Provisions

Designation of the Month: The Senate declares May 2025 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month" to focus attention on wildfire risks and mitigation strategies.
Encouragement of Awareness and Preparedness: Urges Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments (including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities), as well as nongovernmental organizations and communities, to increase awareness of wildfires and improve readiness for suppression efforts.
Support for Educational Initiatives: Promotes resources and programs that teach preventive measures, such as:
Home hardening (using fire-resistant building materials and managing yard vegetation to reduce ignition risk).
Community planning to limit home exposure to fires and improve firefighter access.
Evacuation planning for people and animals.
Vegetation and forest management to remove flammable materials.
Limiting human-caused ignitions (e.g., avoiding fireworks, exhaust sparks, or open flames during high-risk periods).
Background Context: The resolution cites statistics on wildfire trends (e.g., increased fires and burned acres from 2015–2024 and early 2025), human causes (nearly 85% of fires), high suppression costs (over $2.5 billion annually), health risks to firefighters and the public (e.g., cancer, respiratory issues, asthma, heart attacks from smoke), and the need for proactive investments in planning and risk reduction.

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 gesture to encourage voluntary actions rather than mandating new regulations or funding.

Potential Impacts

On Citizens: Could enhance public knowledge and adoption of safety practices, potentially reducing personal and property losses in wildfire-prone areas (e.g., through better home preparation and evacuation plans). It may also highlight health risks from smoke, prompting more protective measures like air quality alerts.
On Government Agencies: Encourages Federal agencies (e.g., those involved in wildfire management like the U.S. Forest Service) and State/local governments to promote educational programs, possibly leading to increased coordination on risk reduction without new legal requirements.
On Communities and International Relations: Benefits at-risk communities, including rural and Tribal areas, by fostering resilience. No direct international impacts, though it underscores broader climate-related challenges that could indirectly influence U.S. environmental diplomacy.
Broader Effects: May inspire ongoing investments in mitigation, helping to lower the annual economic burden of wildfires (estimated at tens to hundreds of billions of dollars).

Main Stakeholders Affected

Citizens and Communities: Especially those in wildfire-vulnerable regions like the Western U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and territories, including homeowners, families, and pet owners who can benefit from preparedness education.
Firefighters and First Responders: Recognized for their risks (e.g., exposure to smoke and chemicals), with calls for better support and reduced incident demands through prevention.
Government Entities: Federal (e.g., wildfire suppression agencies), State, local, and Tribal governments, tasked with raising awareness and implementing mitigation.
Nongovernmental Organizations: Groups focused on environmental protection, health, and community planning that can lead educational efforts.
Indigenous Communities: Specifically mentions Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian groups, emphasizing inclusive preparedness.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: As a simple resolution agreed to by the Senate, it has no force of law and does not require House approval or presidential signature. It cannot enforce actions or allocate funds.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to express policy preferences and raise awareness on public safety issues, without infringing on individual rights or state authority.
Political: Represents bipartisan support (introduced by Senators Hirono and Barrasso from different parties), signaling national consensus on wildfire as a pressing issue amid climate change. It could politically encourage future legislation on funding or policy for wildfire management, 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

Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

Cosponsors (1)

Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]

Recent Actions

2025-06-16: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
2025-06-16: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
2025-06-16: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
2025-06-16: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
2025-05-22: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3120-3121)
2025-05-22: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

Designating May 2025 as National Wildfire Preparedness Month. — issued 2025-06-16 — PDF (4 pages)
Designating May 2025 as National Wildfire Preparedness Month. — issued 2025-05-22 — PDF (4 pages)