U.S. Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) has sponsored bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would allow for the establishment of fireshed management areas within a state to conduct projects that use advanced technologies and wildfire hazard models to reduce threats to public health, critical infrastructure, wildlife habitats, and watersheds.
Rep. Moore on July 22 introduced the Forest Improvements through Research and Emergency Stewardship for Healthy Ecosystem Development and Sustainability (FIRESHEDS) Act, H.R. 4664, with 11 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Pete Stauber (R-MN), and Henry Cuellar (D-TX). U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jim Risch (R-ID) on July 22 introduced the companion bill, S. 2436, in their chamber.
“Over a billion acres of land in the U.S. are at risk for wildfires, and this is a major problem in Utah and across the West as we experience a historic drought season,” Rep. Moore said. “This rapid uptick in wildfires is due to forests being overstocked with fuel, fire exclusion policies, drought, and more.
“The FIRESHEDS Act would address these challenges by giving our land managers the tools they need to better prevent, mitigate and respond to wildfires,” added Rep. Moore. “I am proud to lead on this effort at a critical time as our nation quickly responds to a major surge in wildfires.”
If enacted, the measure stipulates that not later than 90 days after receiving a request from a governor of a state, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior shall enter into an agreement to jointly designate one or more fireshed management areas within that state, and conduct fireshed management projects on such fireshed management areas, according to the text of the bill.
The proposed legislation has received support from several state and national organizations, including the Federal Forest Resource Coalition, the Missouri Forest Products Association, the Colorado Timber Industry Association, Associated California Loggers, the Louisiana Forestry Association, Minnesota Forest Industries, the American Forest Resource Council, the Intermountain Forest Association, Associated Contract Loggers and Truckers of Minnesota, the American Loggers Council, and the Montana Wood Products Association, among many others.