Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Colorado and my friend from Alabama for the opportunity to speak in favor of the FIRE Act. I appreciate the important work that is being done, which is critical for my home State of Utah.

Last year, Utah saw over 1,000 wildfires burn 160,000 acres. I represent a district that has watched wildfires tear through our communities. I have seen what fire does to our land, and I have heard from the land managers, the ranchers, and the State officials who want something done about it.

In many cases, we actually know what to do about it. We know what steps we can take to mitigate the risk, how to proactively manage the land before a fire even begins. The problem isn't the will or the answers. The problem is too often the regulations. It is regulations that actually limit our ability to take the steps needed to protect ourselves.

The FIRE Act gives States the regulatory certainty they need to act before fires grow out of control, and it has my full support.

Mr. Speaker, the communities I represent cannot afford continued inaction. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the FIRE Act.

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