Evans' Bipartisan FIRE Act Gains Momentum as Senate Introduces Companion Legislation

WASHINGTON -Today, Congressman Gabe Evans joined Rep. Adam Gray in welcoming the introduction of bipartisan companion legislation in the U.S. Senate that builds on the commonsense reforms included in the Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events (FIRE) Act, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this year with bipartisan support.

Led by Senators John Curtis (R-Utah) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), the bipartisan Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA) incorporates key provisions championed by Congressman Evans and Congressman Adam Gray to make it easier for states to use prescribed fires to prevent catastrophic wildfires while ensuring communities are not unfairly penalized under the Clean Air Act for proactive wildfire mitigation efforts. The Senate legislation would also provide greater regulatory certainty for states, protect ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and help communities better prepare for future wildfire seasons.

"Representative Gabe Evans and Representative Adam Gray welcome the announcement of the Senate compromise on FIRE/WEPA. This legislation builds on our bipartisan solution to codify prescribed fires in the exceptional events process to prevent wildfires, creating regulatory certainty for communities, protecting jobs and the economy, and allowing states to take proactive steps to improve their air quality instead of being punished for emissions beyond their control. We thank our Senate colleagues for their work on this issue, urge them to pass this critical package swiftly, and look forward to its consideration in the House. When it comes to wildfires, Congress cannot afford to wait. We must act now."

Background

In April, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Evans' bipartisan FIRE Act, legislation to modernize the Clean Air Act by ensuring states are not penalized for emissions caused by wildfires and prescribed burns while encouraging proactive forest management and reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens.

The newly introduced Senate companion bill builds on those same principles by making it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fire to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, providing certainty that states will not be penalized for taking action to prevent wildfires, promoting the efficient use of state air quality resources, and making forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner.