South OC Times

U.S. Representative Young Kim, alongside California Representatives Doug LaMalfa and Jimmy Panetta, has introduced the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act. This bipartisan initiative seeks to allow firefighting agencies at various levels to utilize fire retardant without facing restrictive permitting regulations.

Rep. Kim emphasized the importance of using all available tools during wildfires, stating, "Fire retardant has proven to be safe and effective for containing and mitigating wildfires." She expressed her commitment to supporting policies that protect communities in wildfire-prone areas like Orange County.

Rep. LaMalfa criticized attempts to ban fire retardants during fire season as "ridiculous" and "dangerous," stressing the need to prevent fires from becoming disasters. He noted that environmental groups' concerns over trace amounts of retardant overlook the broader damage caused by uncontrolled fires.

With nearly 9 million acres burned nationwide in 2024, Rep. Panetta underscored the growing threat of wildfires. He stated that the legislation aims to ensure fire retardants remain a crucial part of wildfire response strategies, highlighting their role in protecting homes, forests, and frontline workers.

The bill is cosponsored by several other representatives including David Valadao, Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Tom McClintock, Vince Fong, Adam Gray, and Jim Costa. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Cynthia Lummis.

The background of this legislative effort involves a lawsuit against the Forest Service over its use of aerial fire retardant. The court required a permit from the EPA but did not halt its use during fire season. The ongoing permitting process could take years and future legal actions might lead to an injunction that would limit firefighting capabilities.

The proposed bill builds on existing Clean Water Act exemptions for fire control activities and ensures continued use of approved fire retardants listed by the Forest Service.