As more dangerous wildfires threaten Southern California, lawmakers say reforms to forest management are desperately needed, and the country cannot wait any longer.

The House passed the Fix Our Forests Act along bipartisan lines on Thursday as a response to the devastating wildfires in California that have destroyed thousands of homes. The legislation, introduced by Reps.

A forest management bill is slated for House floor debate this week. Other wildfire bills have been introduced in the Senate.

A bill to speed forest-thinning on federal lands is poised to pass the House later this week. Another forest-related bill passed easily Tuesday.

Westerman pointed out that Schumer rejected his Fix Our Forests Act, which would have, among other things, improved the safety of power lines.

Reps. Scott Peters, D-Calif., and Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., discuss the U.S. House passing the Fix Our Forests Act on 'Special Report.' Petrified wood is one of the most sought-after materials in the world for both its aesthetic value and its scientific value. But in Indonesia, miners who risk their lives to dig it up barely make enough to get by.

Cal Fire Firefighters do a prescribed burn ahead of oncoming new wildfire called 'Hughes Fire' as it tore through northern Los Angeles County, burning over 9,000 acres just hours after it was first reported in California, United States on January 22, 2025.

House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman said the Los Angeles disaster highlights the urgency of his forest management bill.

Some Republican leaders insist that before California can get disaster aid, there will be conditions attached.