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July 31, 2023 (Washington, DC)  — The House Committee on Natural Resources unanimously approved legislation authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) by a 32-0 vote last week. The bill would streamline and accelerate hiring of critically needed federal firefighter personnel.

The legislation – H.R. 3499, Direct Hire to Fight Fires – grants permanent “direct hire” authority to federal firefighting agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service. Some of California’s worst wildfires have burned federal lands, including Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County.

“An indispensable strategy in taking on the severe fires we know are on the way is to deploy the necessary personnel to stop these blazes wherever they occur,” said Issa. “With this new hiring authority, our federal agencies can bring together the teams of firefighters we need to hold the line, halt the destruction, and save lives and property that are too often lost forever.”