[1]Alex Padilla for Senate

As we head into the heat of summer in California, we are also entering what is likely to be one of the most catastrophic fire seasons in recent memory.

As we face the realities of climate change and droughts across California each year, wildfire season lasts longer and does more damage than the year before.

That’s why I’ve introduced a pair of bills — the Fire Suppression Improvement Act and the Post Fire Flooding and Debris Flow Act — to protect Californians and people across the country from the growing threat of wildfires.

I’ll explain more about exactly what each of these bills does in just a minute, but if you’re already ready to sign on, you can use this link to show your support:

[link removed]

The Fire Suppression Improvement Act helps state and local firefighters better prepare for fires before they even start. It would make more types of firefighting assets eligible for federal grants, and increase the percentage of firefighting costs the federal government would pay.

This will allow state and local firefighters to be more prepared and pre-deploy firefighting equipment where it’s most likely to be needed, putting out fires before they have a chance to spread and grow out of control.

The Post Fire Flooding and Debris Flow Act helps communities prepare for the aftermath of wildfires. Wildfires cause severe loss of vegetation and exposed soil, which can lead to dangerous floods or debris flows when it rains after a wildfire. My bill would revamp FEMA’s grant programs to provide support to state, local, and tribal governments to develop hazard mitigation plans or rebuild in ways to prevent future disaster.

Critically, my bill would make this funding available before a disaster occurs while there’s time to prepare, instead of needing to wait for the fire to pass and the government to declare a disaster.

The key point behind both of these bills is the same — to give state, local, and tribal governments the tools and resources they need to address wildfires and their impacts before the fire starts.

So with wildfire season already underway, we are asking: can you please add your name to say you support our two bills to prevent and respond to wildfires?

ADD YOUR NAME: [link removed]

As we continue to face the realities of a changing climate and record-breaking drought conditions, it’s more important than ever that we are doing everything we can to address the growing threat of wildfires in California and across the country.

Thank you for adding your name in support of this important legislation.

Alex Padilla
 


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