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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Most of Texas is suffering extreme drought, and the |
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state climatologist has warned that the forecast tilts toward a |
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continuing rainfall deficit and higher temperatures that increase |
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the risk of intense wildfires; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2011, nearly 3,000 homes in Texas were lost to |
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wildfires; the Bastrop County Complex fire alone destroyed over |
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1,600 homes, burned more than 34,000 acres, and resulted in losses |
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of $400 million, while claiming two lives; and |
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WHEREAS, Prolonged drought conditions are now bringing |
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wildfires even to communities that may not have experienced this |
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hazard in recent memory; over the past two years, 85 percent of |
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wildfires in Texas have occurred within two miles of an established |
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community; moreover, the majority of new development in Texas is |
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occurring at the wildland-urban interface, where homes and other |
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structures intersect with undeveloped areas that contain flammable |
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grass, brush, and trees; and |
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WHEREAS, The National Fire Protection Association drew on |
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research in physical fire science and human behavior to create the |
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Firewise Communities program, which encourages local solutions for |
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wildfire safety; the program teaches people how to adapt to living |
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with wildfire and how to collaborate effectively to help protect |
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people and property; working with partners such as state forestry |
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and local fire departments, program participants plan, organize, |
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and conduct activities that improve their wildfire safety, and each |
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community can address its specific needs using a flexible template; |
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the Texas A&M Forest Service supports the program in this state |
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through its educational initiatives and by providing a staff of |
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wildland-urban interface specialists to advise applicants and |
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members; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 2003, this voluntary program has documented |
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over $76 million in local wildfire safety measures; more than 700 |
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communities in 40 states are active members, and in Texas, nearly 60 |
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communities have received the Firewise designation by obtaining a |
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risk assessment, creating an action plan, conducting a public |
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education event, and completing a community project that decreases |
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the threat of wildfire; and |
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WHEREAS, Wildfires are a growing source of concern across the |
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Lone Star State due to extended drought and rapid urbanization, but |
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residents can reduce the risk to lives and property by taking |
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meaningful action through membership in Firewise Communities; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby encourage participation in the National Fire |
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Protection Association's Firewise Communities program; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That the chief clerk of the House of |
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Representatives forward official copies of this resolution to Texas |
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Community Association Advocates, to the Texas Association of |
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Counties, and to the Texas Municipal League. |