Two New Mexico senators are hoping to prevent more wildfires from happening across the country.On Thursday, Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D – New Mexico) introduced the “National Wildland and Fire Risk Reduction Program Act.” The federal legislation would identify and invest in research and development, set up warning and forecast systems, develop observation and sensing technologies, and standardize data collection efforts to improve the nation’s preparedness, resilience, and response to wildfires. The bill is also co-sponsored by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D – New Mexico). “These fires are devastating,” Luján said. “It’s important that we all volunteer, that we all help, that we pass legislation, that we secure financial support or emergency declarations. Whatever our role is, we all need to do well at it now because families need our help.”The senator spoke exclusively with KOAT about the new legislation. He’s just one of nine senators who have discussed the bill for months, especially those who represent the western part of the country. “This is a year-round problem. Now we have droughts, the ground is dry, the trees are dry, it’s creating havoc and there’s a lot of fuel out there,” Luján said.The act would mean more funding, and better collaboration, between federal agencies. With the purpose of achieving major measurable reductions in the losses of life, property, and natural resources from comprehensive research on wildfire science.”This will change that in the way that we would engage a federal agency like , who is the premier weather forecaster for the federal government,” Luján said.He added that federal agencies don’t always communicate with one another, causing dire effects. Like the Hermit’s Peak Fire. Several weeks ago, officials at the U.S. Forest Service confirmed that the fire was started by a prescribed burn. “We can assure that there are better models, stronger models and more effective data,” Sen. Luján said. “We need to incorporate the latest fire science with all of these federal agencies and provide more funding to ensure that all the tools are there to prevent these catastrophic forest fires from happening across the country, including in New Mexico and across the West.”Although official discussions have yet to be started at the nation’s capital, the senator already predicts a good outcome from both Democrats and Republicans. “I wish we would have already passed this one, but it has broad support. I believe it will have bipartisan support in the House and in the Senate,” Luján said.He added that the group will use whatever means possible, to prevent further devastation for communities near and far.”You can ask for unanimous consent for that legislation, to move out of committee or actually get passed out of the U.S. Senate,” Luján said. “So we’ll be working to use every tool at our disposal to try to get these legislative ideas adopted, move to the House and then to the president for signature.”The senator said the bill will not limit the number of controlled burns, but will allow for better decision-making among officials.The legislation must pass both the U.S. House and Senate before making its way to President Joe Biden’s desk.Luján is hoping to get the act passed as soon as possible. To learn more about it, click here.
Two New Mexico senators are hoping to prevent more wildfires from happening across the country.
On Thursday, Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D – New Mexico) introduced the “National Wildland and Fire Risk Reduction Program Act.” The federal legislation would identify and invest in research and development, set up warning and forecast systems, develop observation and sensing technologies, and standardize data collection efforts to improve the nation’s preparedness, resilience, and response to wildfires.
The bill is also co-sponsored by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D – New Mexico).
“These fires are devastating,” Luján said. “It’s important that we all…
Read More: New Mexico senator introduces bill to prevent future wildfires