Ginal’s Bill to Bolster Colorado’s Wildfire Response, Enhance Public Safety Clears Committee

SB23-013 would provide resources to investigate the origins of wildfires to more effectively prevent them 

DENVER, CO – Senator Joann Ginal’s, D-Fort Collins, bill to improve Colorado’s response to wildfires cleared the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee today.

SB23-013 would create a wildfire investigation fund and provide $3 million to help investigate the causes and origins of wildfires. The bill also requires the Director of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) to report on fire investigations to the Wildfire Matters Review Committee.

“Fire season is no longer confined to a few months – it’s a year-round threat,” Ginal said. “It’s essential that we act now to prepare for and mitigate future wildfire disasters. By creating a new reporting protocol and a wildfire investigation fund, we are providing local fire departments with the tools they need to better understand the origins of fires, which will better protect our communities and  enhance public safety across Colorado.”

The Director of DFPC would report annually to the Wildfire Matters Review Committee regarding the current magnitude of the state’s wildfire situation, including the number of  wildfire investigations and their statuses, the status of prescribed burns, available resources, and more. Additionally, the fire investigation fund would provide support to local fire departments investigating the cause and origin of fires.

SB23-013 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Follow the bill’s progress HERE.