H 8571

2026 -- H 8571
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LC006474
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  STATE  OF        RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  HOUSE RESOLUTION
   DECLARING MAY 2026 AS "WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF
  RHODE ISLAND
  Introduced By: Representatives Cotter, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Place,
  Kennedy, Shallcross Smith, Ajello, Bennett, and Fogarty
  Date Introduced: May 21, 2026
  Referred To: House read and passed
1WHEREAS, Wildfires across the United States have become more frequent and severe
2 due to drought, rising temperatures, and changing climate conditions, demonstrating a nationwide
3 need for prevention and preparedness; and
4WHEREAS, While wildfire activity is most concentrated in western and southeastern
5 regions of the United States, wildfire risk is increasingly recognized as a nationwide concern as
6 climate and land-use conditions continue to expand fire-prone environments; and
7WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island experiences conditions that elevate wildfire risk,
8 including seasonal dryness, wind events, and fuel accumulation in forested and suburban areas;
9 and
10WHEREAS, According to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
11 (DEM), Rhode Island experienced more than 60 reported wildfires in 2025, demonstrating that
12 wildfire risk remains an ongoing concern within the State; and
13WHEREAS, Wildfires pose threats to public safety, property, air quality, ecosystems, and
14 public health through exposure to harmful smoke and fine particulate matter; and
15WHEREAS, The DEM, through its Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment and
16 Forest Fire Program, serves as the State’s lead agency for wildfire prevention, preparedness,
17 response coordination, and forest fire management; and
18WHEREAS, The DEM Forest Fire Program provides wildfire suppression support,
19 firefighter training, public education, interagency coordination, and wildfire mitigation strategies
1 to reduce wildfire risk statewide; and
2WHEREAS, The DEM Forest Fire Program also supports forest health and wildfire risk
3 reduction through forest management practices, including prescribed fires conducted under strict
4 safety protocols to reduce hazardous fuel loads; and
5WHEREAS, During periods of elevated wildfire danger caused by conditions such as low
6 humidity, dry fuels, and strong winds, the DEM may issue fire weather advisories, including Fire
7 Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings, and may coordinate restrictions on outdoor burning
8 and fire-related activities to protect public safety; and
9WHEREAS, Wildfire prevention depends on public awareness and responsible behavior,
10 including safe outdoor burning practices, proper disposal of smoking materials, safe equipment
11 use, and compliance with fire restrictions; and
12WHEREAS, Wildfire preparedness in Rhode Island requires coordinated planning among
13 state and local partners, including emergency response planning, firefighter training, and
14 community risk reduction in forested and suburban areas; and
15WHEREAS, Residents are encouraged to prepare for wildfire emergencies by developing
16 evacuation plans, assembling emergency kits, monitoring alerts, and maintaining defensible space
17 around homes; and
18WHEREAS, Wildfire Awareness Month provides an opportunity to promote wildfire
19 prevention and preparedness and to recognize firefighters, emergency responders, and public
20 safety officials who help protect Rhode Island communities; now, therefore be it
21RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
22 recognizes and declares May 2026 as “Wildfire Awareness Month” in the State of Rhode Island;
23 and be it further
24RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
25 transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental
26 Management and to the Honorable Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, Sabina Matos.
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LC006474
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  LC006474 - Page 2 of 2