As the risks of catastrophic wildfires grow, major insurance trade groups are urging lawmakers to act decisively. Several associations sent a joint letter supporting the reintroduction of the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 8790) to strengthen wildfire prevention efforts. The bill was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday after failing to pass the Senate last year.
A Bipartisan Push for Forest Management
The Fix Our Forests Act is co-sponsored by Republican Representative Bruce Westerman of Arkansas and Democratic Representative Scott Peters of California. The bill proposes innovative solutions to mitigate wildfire risks, including designating fireshed management areas, establishing a Fireshed Center for federal collaboration, and introducing targeted grazing on federal lands to manage vegetation.
In their letter, insurance groups emphasized the need for active forest management to reduce fuel loads, remove hazardous trees, and harden utility infrastructure. They also highlighted the importance of developing markets for new products that utilize fine fuels, aiming to make forest management both sustainable and economically viable.
Industry Warns of Mounting Wildfire Costs
The stakes for wildfire prevention are high. Catastrophe modeling firm CoreLogic recently projected that wildfires in Los Angeles could result in insured losses of up to $45 billion. With escalating claims tied to natural disasters, insurers have a vested interest in reducing wildfire risks through better land-use planning and proactive measures.
Environmental Opposition Raises Concerns
Not everyone supports the proposed legislation. Environmental groups argue that it could roll back critical protections, open federal lands to logging without sufficient scientific oversight, and remove large, fire-resistant trees. These groups caution against measures they believe prioritize short-term forest management over long-term ecological health.
A Call to Action for Wildfire Resilience
Insurance industry leaders, including the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Reinsurance Association of America, are rallying behind the Fix Our Forests Act. Their joint statement underscores the urgent need to balance proactive forest management with community protection.
With wildfire risks reaching unprecedented levels, the pressure is on lawmakers to navigate competing priorities and implement strategies that ensure the safety and resilience of vulnerable communities.