Findings

Congress finds that, as of the date of enactment of this Act— (1) the wildfire season has increased by over 2 months since the 1970s, and wildfires have become increasingly prevalent across the United States due to prolonged droughts and extreme temperatures; (2) the average annual temperatures in the western United States have increased by 1.9 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970; (3) wildfire smoke often contains toxic chemicals and particulates, creating hazardous air quality conditions; (4) wildfire smoke often persists for extended periods of time and can travel hundreds of miles; (5) wildfire smoke inhalation is harmful to human health, particularly for vulnerable populations, including outdoor workers; (6) excessive heat poses a potentially deadly threat to those without protection from the heat, including outdoor workers; and (7) more than 100 people died during the June 2021 heat wave in Oregon, including a farmworker.