US House passes forestry management bill amid raging wildfires
The U.S. House passed the Fix Our Forests Act on Thursday, aiming to reduce wildfire risks by promoting better forest management. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman and Rep. Scott Peters, was approved 279-141 amid ongoing fires in the Los Angeles area.
- Americas
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 09:13 | 24 January 2025
- Modified Date: 09:27 | 24 January 2025
The US House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday aimed at reducing wildfire risks in the future as fires in the Los Angeles area continued to rage.
The Fix Our Forests Act, co-sponsored by House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman and Rep. Scott Peters, passed in a 279-141 vote.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said the act will force state leaders to better prepare for and prevent wildfires with smart forest management instead of prioritizing the leftist climate agenda.
"This commonsense bill will protect communities and restore forests," he added.
Wednesday's blaze is the latest to strike the greater Los Angeles area after a series of fires began sweeping through America's second-largest city on Jan. 7.
The first inferno, the Palisades Fire, has devasted the upscale coastal community of the Pacific Palisades, while another major blaze, the Eaton Fire, tore through wide swathes of the foothill city of Altadena.
A total of 11 people were killed in the Palisades Fire while 17 died in the Eaton Fire amid mass devastation in both communities that has left many residents scrambling to find new homes.
- Lebanese army enters 2 towns in southern Lebanon ahead of Israeli withdrawal deadline
- US military academies should not use race in admissions, Trump's Pentagon pick says
- Türkiye condemns violence, attacks on civilians in Colombia
- Pandas, like Trump, are back in Washington
- Trump to sign executive order to fundamentally change or get rid of FEMA