The 48th District’s dry conditions, dense vegetation, increasingly unpredictable weather, scarcity of low-cost fire insurance, and legacy water infrastructure issues make fire mitigation more than a mere priority. It is a near crisis.
Much is being done including upgraded powerline infrastructure and safety, building codes, financial assistance for home-hardening (defensible space, vegetation trimming, retrofitting), emergency response, California “insurer of last resort” FAIR plan, and insurance Commission mandates for increased insurance availability. But as the Palisades disaster points out, far more is needed. Now.
As a business professional with extensive risk management experience, I understand that successful fire mitigation demands urgent engagement, research, planning, investing, and execution by all concerned – federal, state, and local authorities, researchers, utilities, businesses, environmentalists, and consumers.
In Congress I will monitor, inform, coordinate, advocate, and legislate to address fire mitigation and relief for the 48th District.
Fire mitigation and water supply are of course deeply interconnected.
Healthy forests and watersheds are our first line of defense against both drought and wildfire.
I will advocate for federal support of forest management, watershed restoration, and climate adaptation projects that reduce fuel loads, enhance water retention, and protect our communities.
I will pursue a holistic approach to environmental, fire, and water management to safeguard the 48th District for generations to come.