Montana Senator Pushes Bipartisan Wildfire Reform as LA Fires Rage

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Montana Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy, a former firefighter, is spearheading bipartisan efforts to reform wildfire response policies as devastating fires continue to ravage Los Angeles. Sheehy, who took office less than a week ago, is leveraging his experience as an aerial firefighter and wildfire entrepreneur to address what he calls a “year-round threat” to the nation.

“There’s a huge dichotomy in America between structural firefighting — the red fire truck, traditional firemen everyone’s familiar with — and wildland firefighting,” Sheehy told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Thursday. He emphasized the need for increased funding and streamlined responses to wildfires, including cutting through bureaucratic red tape during emergencies.

The Palisades Fire, now the most destructive in Los Angeles County history, has burned thousands of acres, destroyed homes, and displaced residents. California Gov. Gavin Newsom described the situation as a “year-round” crisis, a sentiment echoed by Sheehy, who called it a “50-state threat.”

Sheehy is collaborating with Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff of California and Andy Kim of New Jersey on proposed legislation. “This can be a bipartisan solution,” Sheehy said, noting that while they disagree on many issues, wildfire preparedness is a shared priority. The legislation aims to improve response times, provide year-round support for firefighters, and address water management challenges.

Sheehy criticized the current system, which treats wildland firefighters as seasonal workers. “They get underpaid, they don’t get benefits, they don’t get medical care if they get injured on the job,” he said. Recent federal efforts, including President Joe Biden’s 2021 infrastructure bill, have allocated billions to raise firefighter wages, but Sheehy argues more must be done.

Sheehy also called for stronger public-private partnerships, citing the potential for private-sector innovation to improve wildfire response. However, his ties to Bridger Aerospace, an aerial firefighting company he founded, have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. Sheehy dismissed these concerns, stating, “Fires put millionaires and billionaires out on the street alongside the poor. They’re going to burn our houses the same way. Let’s get ready.”

As the fires continue to burn, Sheehy’s push for reform highlights the growing urgency to address the escalating wildfire crisis in the U.S.