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Orange County firefighters and experts urge Congress to advance Brushfires Act for shrubland-specific wildfire tools
Summary
Chris Ham, president of the Orange County firefighters local, and other witnesses told the subcommittee that shrubland and chaparral fires need distinct policies and that the Brushfires Act should fund region-specific science, treatments and federal-local coordination to reduce structure loss and improve response.
Chris Ham, president of Orange County Firefighters IAFF Local 3631, told the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands that the Brushfires Act is necessary to address shrubland and chaparral fire behavior that differs from forested wildfire regimes. Drawing on recent local incidents, Ham described rapid ignition in light, flashy fuels and the fast progression of fires into suburban areas, arguing that “the line between wildland and built space is no longer a line. It is a blur.”
Ham said recent Southern California incidents burned thousands of acres and caused substantial structural loss and closures on federal lands, and recommended a shrubland‑specific playbook that pairs science, prioritized treatments and funding with sustained implementation. He urged the committee to pair the Brushfires Act with funding streams that enable the federal government to implement recommended treatments in coordination with state and local partners.
Committee members asked about data gaps; witnesses said the Forest Service’s 2021 review found limited data for non‑forested ecosystems and that better regional data and coordinated monitoring would improve treatment selection and outcomes. Ham recommended stronger federal‑local communication, mirroring successful local programs and ensuring rapid initial response resourcing. He concluded by urging the subcommittee to advance the bill and ensure implementation funding that matches recommendations.
Next steps: Members signaled interest in the study and data elements of the bill; the committee left the record open for written follow-up and asked Forest Service witnesses to respond on how to enhance regional collaboration and data collection.
