As more dangerous wildfires threaten Southern California, lawmakers say reforms to forest management are desperately needed, and the country cannot wait any longer.

The House passed the Fix Our Forests Act along bipartisan lines on Thursday as a response to the devastating wildfires in California that have destroyed thousands of homes. The legislation, introduced by Reps.

A forest management bill is slated for House floor debate this week. Other wildfire bills have been introduced in the Senate.

Some Republican leaders insist that before California can get disaster aid, there will be conditions attached.

As wildfires continue to rage in Los Angeles, Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) claimed that Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) opted out of an opportunity to legislate federal protections to prevent them.

A bill to speed forest-thinning on federal lands is poised to pass the House later this week. Another forest-related bill passed easily Tuesday.

Reps. Scott Peters, D-Calif., and Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., discuss the U.S. House passing the Fix Our Forests Act on 'Special Report.' Petrified wood is one of the most sought-after materials in the world for both its aesthetic value and its scientific value. But in Indonesia, miners who risk their lives to dig it up barely make enough to get by.

House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman said the Los Angeles disaster highlights the urgency of his forest management bill.

As more dangerous wildfires threaten Southern California, lawmakers say reforms to forest management are desperately needed, and the country cannot wait any longer.

To many, forestry is simply viewed as the trees planted in someone’s backyard, shade during an outdoor activity, or nature’s greatest indicator of the changing of the seasons.

WASHINGTON -- It would be hard to fault U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., for feeling optimistic as he starts his second term leading the House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee.

The bill aims to expedite procedures under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to enable quicker response to wildfire risks and enhance forest resilience, particularly in areas prone to ...