DENVER—Lawmakers worried about the increasing risk of wildfires from thousands of acres of trees dying from a beetle infestation say time is running out to prevent a disaster.
Republicans introduced several bills they hope will let firefighters prevent fires and plan for a catastrophic wildfire that they say is only a matter of time.
One bill sets up a fund for preventive measures such as thinning forests near urban areas, while another provides money to train volunteer firefighters. A third provides business incentives to use rotting wood, while another provides matching funds to help local governments prepare for a disaster.
On Thursday, a Senate committee backed a bipartisan proposal spelling out what kinds of things communities have to consider when coming up with a wildfire preparation plan.
