House Passes Vasquez’s Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Wildfires, Support Ranchers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 24, 2024, the House passed U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) and Doug LaMalfa’s (R-CA-01) bill, the bipartisan Utilizing Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act, to help prevent wildfires through proactive grazing. The bill passed as part of the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act. Prior to passage, Vasquez spoke on the House Floor about the importance of his bill to New Mexico. 

WATCH: Vasquez Delivers Remarks on the House Floor

“We need to use every tool in our toolbox to lessen the frequency and severity of wildfires. Livestock grazing can help us accomplish that goal. Grazing targeted areas can help slow the spread of an intense burn and control the temperature of a fire by reducing the amount of flammable organic fuel,” saidVasquez. “In New Mexico, we know the cost of fighting wildfires is astronomical, so we must use every available resource to prevent future natural disasters.”

Vasquez is committed to preventing and reducing wildfires that threaten New Mexican’s homes, land and livelihoods. The recent South Fork and Salt Fires, which tragically took the lives of three New Mexicans and destroyed hundreds of homes and tens of thousands of acres, underscores the importance of using every option available to prevent dangerous wildfires.

This bill ensures that grazing can be used proactively to mitigate wildfires and keep New Mexicans safe. It helps cut through red tape and makes it easier for New Mexican farmers and ranchers to assist in preventing wildfires that could devastate their land and livelihood.

Vasquez voted in support of the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act today, which improves local capacity to address wildfire impacts by allowing different agencies to work together to tackle wildfire risks. The bill advances research, supports local building codes, reduces wildfire impacts, encourages partnerships and offers technical and financial assistance. This allows the U.S. Forest Service to focus its resources more directly on fireshed management by hiring additional staff and conducting hazardous fuels management. 

The Fix Our Forest Act also ensures that when Tribes conduct fire management efforts, such as trimming excess limbs off trees, they are able to sell the timber and use the profits for forest restoration activities. This will help support Tribal sovereignty and economic prosperity. It is endorsed by the National Congress of American Indians, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. 

Vasquez and LaMalfa originally introduced their bipartisan Utilizing Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act in March.

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