Capps Pushes Bills to Protect Fire Prevention Efforts and Honor the Heroic Service of Those Fighting the Wildfires in California

Press Release

Today Congresswoman Lois Capps spoke on the House floor in strong support of two bills pertaining to the wildfires in California.

Capps first spoke in favor of the Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement Act, or FLAME Act (H.R. 5541) which would protect funding for preventive fire fighting by establishing a separate fund to cover the costs of catastrophic wildland fires when those costs exceed predicted levels. Currently the Forest Service has to pull funds from other key programs to cover emergency fire suppression costs, leaving fewer funds available for fire prevention efforts, campground maintenance, and forest restoration. This measure was approved by the House by a voice vote.

"I'm proud to support the FLAME Act," said Capps. "For too long the high cost of fighting fires has relied on unpredictable emergency funding measures and put a squeeze on other critical Forrest Service operations, including fire prevention and mitigation efforts. This common sense bill creates an emergency federal fund dedicated to fighting fires that is separate from the Forrest Service's regular fire fighting funding. The emergency fund established under the FLAME Act ensures our efforts to fight today's fires don't hurt our efforts to prevent tomorrow's fires.

"As we face increased wildfire threats due to prolonged droughts, global warming, and increased development in remote areas we must ensure federal fire fighting tactics are both proactive and reactive," continued Capps. "Proper prevention efforts are critical to reducing the likelihood of widespread and severe fires in our communities. While we obviously cannot prevent all fires, we can reduce their frequency and severity by doing all that we can before they start."

Capps also spoke in favor of H.Res. 1322, which commends the firefighters from California and throughout the United States for their courageous actions in fighting the recent wildfires. Both resolutions were approved with broad bipartisan support. Capps was an original cosponsor of the resolution.

"As I speak here today, thousands of men and women are putting their lives on the line to protect our wildlands and private property," said Capps. "I am proud to say that California's emergency preparedness systems and procedures are among the best in the nation. Thanks to the quick work of federal, state and local emergency personal the lives and precious property of my constituents have been protected from the threat of the Gap fire. I know I speak for my friends and neighbors on the Central Coast and all Californians as we thank and honor these courageous individuals by supporting this resolution."

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