119-hres383

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 383 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 383

 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.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 May 5, 2025

 Mrs. Torres of California (for herself, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Vargas, Ms. 
 Pettersen, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Peters, Mr. Mullin, Ms. Brownley, Mr. 
Garamendi, Mr. Whitesides, Ms. Jacobs, Mr. Min, Ms. Bynum, Mr. Neguse, 
 Mr. Costa, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Salinas, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Ruiz, Ms. 
Tokuda, Mr. Case, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Chu, Mr. Correa, Mr. Levin, and Ms. 
Hoyle of Oregon) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
 to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 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.

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 2024, 64,897 wildfires burned in the United States, consuming a 
 total of 8,924,884 acres, and in California there were 8,024 wildfires 
 that burned for a total of 1,050,012 acres;
Whereas nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by 
 humans;
Whereas, so far in 2025, 8,005 wildfires have burned 168,4768 acres across the 
 United States, which is above the 10-year average of 5,753 wildfires;
Whereas the United States experienced a large number of wildfires from West 
 Coast to East Coast;
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; and

Whereas we commit to working together to financially support communities 
 directly during and after a catastrophic firestorm: Now, therefore, be 
 it
 Resolved, 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.
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