Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing focused on the need for the Senate to pass the Fix Our Forests Act. This comes one year after wildfires caused significant destruction in the Los Angeles area.
Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) commented, “Without proactive forest management in the United States, homes, communities and businesses are left prone to devastating wildfires. We witnessed this just over a year ago when an out-of-control wildfire tragically claimed 31 lives in Los Angeles County. It’s well past time we cut through the red tape and address these preventable tragedies by sending the Fix Our Forests Act to the President’s desk.”
The Fix Our Forests Act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 23, 2025, with a bipartisan vote of 279-141. The bill is currently pending in the Senate.
The wildfires that struck Los Angeles more than a year ago destroyed neighborhoods and businesses and resulted in 31 deaths. The event is among the most expensive disasters globally.
Communities such as Palisades, Altadena, and Pasadena were especially affected. Lawmakers warned that without immediate action, other communities could face similar risks.
Supporters of proactive forest management argue that it can reduce both disaster risk and living costs for Americans by making housing, insurance, and utility expenses more manageable.
Advocates urged Congress to send the bipartisan legislation to the President before another major wildfire occurs.
