Wildfire Response Improvement Act
Wildfire Response Improvement Act
Plain Language Summary
# Wildfire Response Improvement Act (HR 1393) Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would expand federal financial assistance for wildfire management by allowing communities to receive federal grants for wildfire-related work that happens *before and after* an actual fire occurs, not just during the fire itself. Currently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) only funds wildfire-fighting costs while a fire is actively burning. The bill would also require FEMA to update its guidelines for determining which wildfire prevention and recovery projects are cost-effective enough to receive federal funding. **Who It Affects:** State and local governments, fire departments, and communities dealing with wildfire threats would benefit from expanded federal assistance.
This particularly impacts regions prone to wildfires, such as Arizona (where the sponsor is from) and other western states. Taxpayers would also be affected as users of federal emergency management resources. **Key Provisions:** The bill specifically authorizes FEMA's Fire Management Assistance Grant Program to cover assessment and emergency stabilization work that protects public safety at any point in the wildfire timeline—not just during active fires. FEMA would also be required to review and update its cost-effectiveness standards for wildfire mitigation projects. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Wildfire Response Improvement ActThis bill expands certain wildfire management assistance to beyond the time when the fire occurs and requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update various programmatic guidance relating to wildfire response and cost-effectiveness criteria for wildfire mitigation projects.Currently, in general, government entities’ costs for fighting wildfires are only eligible for assistance under the Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Program if the costs are incurred during the incident period (i.e., time during which the fire occurs). The bill requires FEMA to modify the FMAG Program so that assessments and emergency stabilization to protect public safety are eligible for FMAG assistance regardless of when the incident period begins or ends.The bill also requires FEMA to review and update its evaluation criteria for the cost-effectiveness of wildfire mitigation projects proposed under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program or Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and prioritize projects accordingly.Additionally, FEMA must update its policy guide for the Public Assistance program to include guidance on challenges with wildfire recovery, including the resulting toxicity of drinking water resources.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.