NW Riverside News

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) introduced the Ending Major Borderland Environmental Ruin from Wildfires (EMBER) Act, H.R. 9682, aimed at reducing wildfire threats along the southern border and protecting Border Patrol officers.

“The EMBER Act will improve border security and reduce wildfire risks by restoring the Southern Border Fuels Management Initiative,” said Rep. Calvert. “It’s astounding to me that a program to remove dry brush and vegetation that lessens the chance of deadly wildfires along our southern border was abruptly ended when Biden and Harris first took office. Restarting this initiative by passing the EMBER Act is a common-sense approach that will create a safer wildland interface with our southern border.”

"America’s southern border has been ravaged by the effects of Border Czar Kamala Harris's failed policies," said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman. "Today, we're pushing back against this failing administration and introducing legislation to enhance border security, reduce the trash pile forming along the border and ensure not a single tax dollar is spent housing migrants on federal lands."

The EMBER Act aims to:

- Restore and codify the Southern Border Fuels Management Initiative ended under the Biden-Harris administration to conduct hazardous fuels activities along the southern border to improve sightlines for Border Patrol officers and reduce wildfire risk.

- Direct the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to work in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement policies reducing catastrophic wildfire risks started by illegal immigration (e.g., illegal campfires).

Background:

On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 13990, which rescinded Executive Order 13855 ("Promoting Active Management of America's Forests, Rangelands, and Other Federal Lands to Improve Conditions and Reduce Wildfire Risk") aimed at addressing forest management practices to reduce wildfire risks.

###