Boozman, Padilla, Curtis Lead Bill to Strengthen Rural Water Infrastructure and Wildfire Readiness

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT) introduced the Firefighting Infrastructure for Rural and Exurban Smaller Municipalities Augmenting Residential Fuels Treatments (FIRE SMART) Act, legislation to expand funding eligibility for projects with fire suppression benefits in high-risk rural areas.

"We have seen wildfires threaten states across the West, and even in Arkansas, with deadly and devastating effects. I am proud to support a bipartisan solution that can help combat them and protect lives and communities by enhancing support for water systems while maintaining access to safe drinking water," said Boozman.

"While we've made progress in wildfire mitigation and prevention, too many rural communities still lack the water infrastructure needed to effectively respond when disaster strikes," said Padilla. "The FIRE SMART Act changes that reality by strengthening water systems and giving rural communities the tools they need to keep homes and families safe. While we can't predict when wildfires will strike, this commonsense legislation will help ensure rural communities are better prepared when they do."

"As wildfires continue to threaten Utah and the West, rural communities need access to the tools and infrastructure necessary to protect lives and property," said Curtis. "This bipartisan legislation makes targeted, commonsense reforms to allow certain drinking water projects that also strengthen wildfire resilience to qualify for federal support. By helping small, high-risk communities upgrade critical water infrastructure, we can improve public safety while maintaining the core mission of providing reliable drinking water."

The bipartisan legislation would help build rural communities' resiliency by optimizing water infrastructure to provide the flow necessary for emergency responders to save lives and property during an active wildfire. The legislation would amend the Environmental Protection Agency's Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to expand eligibility for water infrastructure projects that have both drinking water and wildfire suppression benefits, and are in communities at high risk for wildfires with fewer than 50,000 residents.

Senators Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) also cosponsored the bill.

The FIRE SMART Act is endorsed by several organizations including the National Special Districts Association, National Association of Emergency and Fire Officials and Family Farm Alliance.

Click here to view full bill text.

Permalink: https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/7/boozman-padilla-curtis-lead-bill-to-strengthen-rural-water-infrastructure-and-wildfire-readiness