House Passes Rep. Min’s Bipartisan Wildfire Prevention Bill, the BRUSH Fires Act

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the House passed Representative Dave Min's (CA-47) bipartisan wildfire prevention bill, the Building Resiliency and Understanding of Shrublands to Halt Fires Act (BRUSH Fires Act). This bipartisan legislation would modernize federal wildfire prevention policy to better address the growing threat of brush fires in chaparral-dominated regions like Southern California. The bill directs the U.S. Forest Service to reevaluate its fire prevention practices in shrubland ecosystems, which is necessary to align federal policy with best practices used by firefighters on the ground.

"I am proud that my first bill to pass through the House is the BRUSH Fires Act, which will take much needed steps to avert wildfires in Orange County by modernizing our fire prevention strategies. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation is a key step towards avoiding the next disaster," said Rep. Min.

Rep. Min spoke out in favor of this bill at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing. Watch here.

Right now, federal wildfire policy too often treats all fires the same, even as many communities, particularly in Southern California, are increasingly threatened by fast-moving brushfires in chaparral landscapes rather than traditional forest fires. The bill fills a critical need to reassess prevention strategies for shrubland ecosystems, identify best practices, and ensure that land managers and local fire officials have access to clear science-based guidance. By better aligning federal policy with the realities of firefighters on the ground, the BRUSH Fires Act will improve public safety and build greater resilience in fire-prone communities.

This legislation has the support of California fire chiefs and leaders across the fire management community, including The Nature Conservancy, California Fire Chiefs Association, California Chaparral Institute, Endangered Habitats League, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

Bill text can be found here.