LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — In the wake of the devastating California wildfires, Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto plans to reintroduce a proposal in Congress to better fund fire departments, interagency coordination and recovery efforts.
The Western Wildfire Support Act passed out of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources last year but failed to get a full-chamber vote before the last congressional session ended.
Cortez Masto told 8 News Now she planned to reintroduce the proposal in the coming weeks. In addition to funding professional development and land management programs, the law would help state and federal agencies better coordinate fighting wildfires.
“This legislation talks about why that coordination is important and why it should be occurring and really mandates our federal partners to engage in those conversations, based on the model in Nevada,” Cortez Masto said.
The senator highlighted the work of firefighters in northern Nevada battling September’s Davis Fire. She said better coordination and planning helped save lives and property.
The proposal also funds mental health programs for firefighters.
In 2021, Cortez Masto pushed for more funding to hire and retain firefighters as part of the Biden administration’s infrastructure law.
