IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 343 Expressing support for the recognition of April 30 through May 6, 2023, as Wildfire Preparedness Week, the national event educating the public on fire safety and preparedness, and supporting the goals of a Wildfire Preparedness Week. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 28, 2023 Mrs. TORRES of California (for herself, Ms. LOFGREN, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. SCHIFF, Ms. CHU, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. BROWNLEY, Ms. JACOBS, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. HARDER of California, Ms. PETTERSEN, Ms. BONAMICI, Ms. SA´NCHEZ, Mr. COSTA, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. TAKANO, Mr. PANETTA, Mr. CA´RDENAS, Mr. SWALWELL, Mr. BERA, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. AGUILAR, and Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources RESOLUTION Expressing support for the recognition of April 30 through May 6, 2023, as Wildfire Preparedness Week, the na- tional event educating the public on fire safety and pre- paredness, and supporting the goals of a Wildfire Pre- paredness Week. Whereas Wildfire Preparedness Week increases awareness of the threat of wildfires and knowledge of lifesaving tactics; Whereas Wildfire Preparedness Week, like other designated weeks or days for natural disasters, promotes educational VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR343.IH HR343 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HRES 343 IH initiatives, encourages community programming, and in- creases overall knowledge and preparedness; Whereas the effects of long-term exposure to wildfire smoke will harm more people, as particle pollution triggers asth- ma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes, and can kill; Whereas firefighters are on the frontlines and are at an in- creased risk of developing cancer and respiratory diseases because they are exposed to smoke and hazardous chemi- cals in the line of duty; Whereas, in 2022, there were 68,988 wildfires that burned 7,577,183 acres, and in California there were 7,490 wildfires and over 362,455 acres burned; Whereas nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans; Whereas, from January 1, 2023, there have been over 11,910 wildfires and over 351,000 acres burned; Whereas the wildfire season in California increases every year in length and frequency of fires; Whereas the United States experienced a large number of wildfires from West Coast to East Coast; and Whereas preventative measures exist to help individuals and communities increase their fire resilience through— (1) evacuation planning and assistance for people and their animals; (2) vegetation and forest management; and (3) limited use of combustibles during high heat or drier seasons, including fireworks, exhaust, and open flames: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR343.IH HR343 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 3 •HRES 343 IH (1) supports the goals of Wildfire Preparedness 1 Week; 2 (2) supports resources and educational initia- 3 tives that communicate how affected communities 4 can take preventative measures such as instituting 5 early warning systems and reducing unplanned 6 human ignitions, as well as how to safely and effi- 7 ciently evacuating people and their animals; and 8 (3) encourages increased awareness of and pre- 9 paredness for the threat of wildfires and subsequent 10 suppression efforts. 11 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:47 Apr 28, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR343.IH HR343 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB