Press Release

Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-07) today voted for the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act, bipartisan legislation to fight wildfires and enhance our drought resiliency.

"In Sacramento County and Northern California, we know all too well the daily impact that the climate crisis is having on our communities. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires and droughts, endangering our residents and hurting our local economy" said Representative Bera, a member of the House Climate Solutions Caucus. "In fact, seven of the largest wildfires in California history have occurred within the last five years with no immediate signs of that trend slowing. I was proud my two amendments were included in the passage of this package that would help us better deal with the aftermath of disasters as we work to prevent and mitigate these dangerous wildfires and droughts. The climate crisis requires urgent and immediate action."

The Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act would support targeted investments to protect communities from catastrophic wildfires and drought through a permanent pay increase for wildland firefighters, creation a 10-year wildfire response strategy, expansion of research programs on wildfire and drought, investment in water supply projects, and modernization of our drought monitoring data and technology.

Included in the package are two Bera-authored amendments:

• A firefighter health and safety amendment that would continue critical research into decontamination methods of firefighting gear and study the impact of PFAS and other potential harmful contaminants in firefighting gear, fire retardants and other equipment.
• A water quality research amendment that would require the EPA to continue research into the impact of wildland fire and smoke on the drinking water supply and freshwater ecosystems.

Last week, Representative Bera introduced the Fire Ready Nation Act with Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08). This legislation would expand the role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the detection and response of wildfires and invest in new wildfire research and forecasting technology. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.