South OC Times

U.S. Representatives Young Kim and Dave Min have introduced a bipartisan bill named the Building Resiliency and Understanding of Shrublands to Halt (BRUSH) Fires Act. The legislation aims to enhance wildfire mitigation efforts in shrubland ecosystems, providing land managers and first responders with necessary tools to tackle extreme brush fires.

Congresswoman Kim emphasized the importance of learning from past wildfires, referencing the Airport Fire that burned nearly 24,000 acres less than a year ago. "The more we fact find from past wildfires, the better we can ensure our first responders are prepared for future wildfires," she stated. Kim expressed pride in collaborating with Rep. Min on this initiative.

Rep. Min highlighted the unique wildfire risks faced by Southern California communities due to climate change effects like intensified Santa Ana winds and drier foliage. He expressed his commitment to making Orange County safer through this bipartisan effort.

Scott Morrson, California State Director of the Nature Conservancy, acknowledged the leadership of Reps. Min and Kim in introducing the BRUSH Fires Act. Morrson pointed out that shrubland ecosystems require different strategies than forests for mitigating wildfire risks, emphasizing that these strategies should be science-based.

The BRUSH Fires Act directs the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to evaluate its wildfire mitigation methods in shrubland ecosystems and submit a report to Congress summarizing findings and identifying steps for improvement. The bill has received endorsements from organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, California Fire Chiefs Association, Endangered Habitats League, California Chaparral Institute, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

Additional details about the bill can be found online.