The Preparedness Payoff Wildfires

Chuck Chaitovitz Chuck Chaitovitz
Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Sustainability, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Published

January 28, 2025

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Wildfires in Southern California, made worse by extreme drought and strong winds, have been burning across the Los Angeles County area since January 7 and continue to devastate the region. 

There are some estimates that the Los Angeles wildfires will cost upwards of $250 billion, which would make it the largest natural disaster in U.S. history. Disasters of this cost and scale are only becoming more frequent.

Why it matters: We have the opportunity now to proactively reduce the impact of disasters by modernizing federal legislation.

Responding to the Southern California Wildfires

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is monitoring the rapidly changing situation through an extended network of state and local chambers. We have resources on how to assist impacted communities. 

What's happening: On January 23, H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act of 2025 passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 279 to 141. The legislation would improve federal forest management and interagency coordination, speed project approvals, and reduce frivolous lawsuits.

  • It would also establish firesheds and call on utilities to develop plans to address hazardous vegetation.

Building smart, modern, resilient infrastructure is one way to protect lives, homes, and businesses against future damage. For this reason, we endorsed the Fix Our Forests Act. It is time for the Senate to finish the job and pass this important bill.

These commonsense approaches will offer companies and communities more predisaster mitigation and resilience tools to prepare ahead of the next crisis.

  • Projects must still comply with all environmental laws, environmental reviews are required, and legal challenges are allowed but are certain and timebound. Meaning, there cannot be an endless amount of red tape.

Building resilience is a smart investment that benefits the economy, conservation principles, and communities potentially impacted by wildfires. 

  • Our recent research with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Allstate found that for every $1 invested in predisaster mitigation and resilience projects and measures, it saves $13 in the cost of cleanup, damages, and economic savings. 

Big picture: More upfront investment ahead of disasters will reduce the impact of the loss of jobs, GDP, and income. As a result, the economy and people will recover more quickly. 

  • The report highlighted several scenarios specific to wildfires, which are compiled here.

Bottom Line: The Senate should immediately take up and pass the Fix Our Forests Act.

  • The U.S. Chamber will advocate for policies, partnerships, and funding to support predisaster mitigation and resilience for communities across our nation.

Please contact Chuck Chaitovitz at cchaitovit@uschamber.com for more information.

The Preparedness Payoff Wildfires

About the authors

Chuck Chaitovitz

Chuck Chaitovitz

Chuck Chaitovitz is vice president for environmental affairs and sustainability at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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