Congress is working on a bill that would change the way the government tries to combat forest fires. But in some of the states hit hardest by wildfires, Democrats are split on whether to support it.
The Fix Our Forests Act, which passed the House last month, is intended to update wildfire prevention measures in federal lands while easing environmental protections. Among other proposals, it would streamline the process of cleaning dead trees and other fire-prone vegetation in federal lands — a favorite talking point of President Donald Trump.
In the House, 64 Democrats voted in favor of the bill and 141 of them opposed it. Of those who voted, California’s Democratic House members were split 24 in favor and 15 against it.