Most of the Congressional delegation from the Central Valley is supporting a new bill that would help protect California from devastating wildfires.
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R–Richvale) led representatives from across the state in introducing the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025, officially known as H.R. 3300.
The big picture: The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act would ensure that aerial fire retardant is available for wildfire suppression without being tied up in Clean Water Act permitting delays.
- It would make it so federal, state, local and tribal firefighting agencies do not need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to use fire retardant from aircraft.
- Representatives David Valadao (R–Hanford), Tom McClintock (R–Elk Grove), Vince Fong (R–Bakersfield), Adam Gray (D–Merced) and Jim Costa (D–Fresno) were among the co-sponsors of LaMalfa’s bill.
The backstory: The bill is necessary because of a lawsuit filed by an environmental group in 2022.
- The environmental group sued the U.S. Forest Service in 2022 over its use of aerial fire retardant and argued that it should be regulated under the Clean Water Act.
- A federal court ruled the following year that the Forest Service needs to obtain a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency to use fire retardant, regardless of if it is fire season.
- The permitting process can take years, forcing firefighters to ground aircraft or only fly them with water.
What they’re saying: “Fire retardant is one of the most effective tools we have to stop wildfires from turning into disasters – especially in the West,” LaMalfa said. “Trying to ban its use during fire season isn’t just ridiculous, it’s dangerous. These extremist environmental groups are more worried about trace amounts of retardant than the real damage caused by out-of-control fires. Entire forests, homes, wildlife, and human lives are at stake. The smoke alone from one major wildfire can choke the air for hundreds of miles. We should be focused on stopping fires early, not tying firefighters’ hands with red tape.”
- Fong said the bill will improve wildfire response by streamlining suppression efforts and will eliminate the red tape that ultimately hinders the efforts from firefighters.
- “As catastrophic megafires become increasingly common in California, firefighters must have timely access to every available tool without being delayed by cumbersome environmental waiver processes,” Fong said.
- Calforests CEO Matt Dias added, “Maintaining healthy forests supports the economy in Northern California and beyond and safeguards communities at risk from catastrophic wildfire, but prevention is not enough. Fire retardants have played an integral role in stopping some of the most devastating wildfires in recent history, and the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act will ensure our wildland firefighters continue to have access to this critical firefighting tool. I urge Congress to pass the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act to safeguard aerial fire retardants, which is ultimately a decision to prioritize lives, land, businesses, and forested environments.”
