July 27, 2026 2:50 a.m. 

Last week, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah, members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, led a group of colleagues from the committee in introducing the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act.

A release from Merkley said the bipartisan legislation would streamline states’ use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfire emissions, protect ecosystems, and wildlife habitats, and make American forests and communities safer, healthier and cleaner. Merkley said it would also promote the efficient use of state air quality resources and provides certainty that states will not be penalized for taking action to prevent wildfires.

Merkley said, “When the 2020 Labor Day Fires swept across Oregon, I drove over 600 miles and never once escaped the thick, dark smoke that blanketed our state. As Oregonians face yet another record-breaking fire season this year, we need to tackle this crisis at every stage”. Merkley said the bipartisan bill supports more prescribed fire on the landscape – an essential forest management activity – while giving communities the resources to plan and prepare for smoke events. Merkley said, “Climate chaos is fueling more severe wildfires, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure Oregon and communities nationwide have the tools they need to protect public health and save lives”.

The release said the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would:

*Make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fire to prevent wildfire emissions

*Protect ecosystems and wildlife habitat

*Provide certainty that states won’t be penalized for taking action to prevent wildfires

*Promote the efficient use of state air quality resources and

*Make forests and communities safer, healthier, and cleaner