A bipartisan bill recently cosponsored by U.S. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) would amend the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Drinking Water State Revolving Funds program to expand eligibility for water infrastructure projects that have both drinking water and wildfire suppression benefits to rural communities.
The Firefighting Infrastructure for Rural and Exurban Smaller Municipalities Augmenting Residential Fuels Treatments Act of 2026, or the FIRE SMART Act of 2026, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Alex Padilla (D-CA), would expand eligibility for such projects that are located in communities at high risk for wildfires with fewer than 50,000 residents.
“By helping small, high-risk communities upgrade critical water infrastructure, we can improve public safety while maintaining the core mission of providing reliable drinking water,” Sen. Curtis said.
The legislation is designed to help build rural communities’ resiliency by optimizing water infrastructure to provide the flow necessary for emergency responders to save lives and property during an active wildfire, according to a bill summary provided by the law makers.
It is the companion bill to the same-named H.R. 6387, introduced in December 2025 by U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) to modify the definition of exceptional events under the Clean Air Act and to require the EPA to revise its regulations regarding exceptional events or actions to mitigate wildfire risk.
“As wildfires continue to threaten Utah and the West, rural communities need access to the tools and infrastructure necessary to protect lives and property,” Sen. Curtis said. “This bipartisan legislation makes targeted, common-sense reforms to allow certain drinking water projects that also strengthen wildfire resilience to qualify for federal support.”
The FIRE SMART Act has garnered support from the Tahoe Water for Fire Partnership, the National Special Districts Association, the National Association of Emergency and Fire Officials, the Arizona Special Districts Alliance, the Montana Fire Trustees Association, and the Family Farm Alliance.
“While we’ve made progress in wildfire mitigation and prevention, too many rural communities still lack the water infrastructure needed to effectively respond when disaster strikes,” said Sen. Padilla. “The FIRE SMART Act changes that reality by strengthening water systems and giving rural communities the tools they need to keep homes and families safe.”