House Approves Fix Our Forests Act 279-141 to Combat California Wildfires Through Proactive Management

Jan 23, 2025, 09:25 PM

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act with a vote of 279-141, aiming to reduce the intensity of wildfires through improved forest management practices. Introduced by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), the bill seeks to restore forest health, increase resilience to catastrophic wildfires, and protect communities located near wildland urban interfaces. The legislation responds to recent devastating wildfires in California, particularly in Southern California and the Los Angeles area, where over 117 million acres of forests are overgrown and fire-prone. The act proposes to streamline restoration efforts, cut bureaucratic red tape by expediting environmental reviews for forest management projects, and promote proactive measures, including deploying emerging technologies for wildfire mitigation. Supporters argue that decades of mismanagement have left forests vulnerable, contributing to the severity of recent fires, and urge the Senate to pass the bill quickly. However, some Democrats opposed the bill, citing concerns over specific provisions. The Fix Our Forests Act now advances to the Senate for consideration.