U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and John Barrasso, along with U.S. Representatives Norma Torres, David Valadao, and Jay Obernolte, have introduced a resolution to designate May as “National Wildfire Preparedness Month.” The initiative aims to boost awareness and preparedness in response to the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires nationwide.
Senator Hirono emphasized the importance of vigilance and proactive measures during wildfire season, stating that the resolution highlights wildfire mitigation’s significance in safeguarding communities and first responders. Senator Barrasso acknowledged the critical role of wildland firefighters, advocating for resources and tools to prevent catastrophic fires.
Congresswoman Torres shared her personal experience with fire loss, stressing that wildfire preparedness concerns everyone, not just those in fire-prone areas. She expressed pride in collaborating with her colleagues to promote proactive measures such as creating defensible space and supporting fire resilience efforts.
Congressman Valadao pointed out that wildfires continue to threaten lives and infrastructure across California and the West. He highlighted the need for year-round preparedness to protect communities and support first responders.
Between January 1 and May 2, 2025, over 22,000 wildfires burned more than 988,000 acres—surpassing the 10-year average for both occurrences and area burned. With fire seasons extending year-round in many parts of the U.S., this resolution calls for investment in planning, mitigation, risk reduction efforts, resources expansion, and educational initiatives for at-risk communities.
The Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization praised the resolution’s focus on collaboration among local, state, and federal entities for proactive risk reduction. The National Wildfire Suppression Association also supported it as a step towards directing investments where they are most needed.
The resolution has endorsements from both organizations mentioned above. In addition to its primary sponsors in Congress, Representative Doug LaMalfa is a cosponsor in the House.
The full text of the resolution is available online.
