New state laws for protecting people, pets in fires, extreme weather conditions

From Washington to Utah and Florida, several government rulers have introduced laws this year to better prepare for fires and extreme weather conditions to protect residents and even their pets in a changing US climate that is hottest.

“Wildfire’s activity receives national level,” the National Fire International Center said on June 24. “Several geographical areas in the US are looking at warm, dry conditions and dry fuels, increasing the potential for new ignitions and high fire development. On that day there were about 6,000 wild firefighters and supporting 29 large non -confrontations and 32 managed fires.

Since June 24, the center noted that the fires had burned over 1.64 million acres in the United States this year. The US suffered 64,897 fires last year, increased by 15% from 2023. The number of acres burning last year with fires increased by 231% to 8.92 acres of 2.69 acres developing in 2023.

“In 2024, the reported number of fires and acres burning at national level were significantly higher than the five and 10 -year average. declared The NICC “Wildland Fire Summary and Statistics Annual Report, 2024.” The fires last year destroyed 4,552 buildings (2,406 houses, 2,066 small structures and 80 commercial/mixed residential buildings). Most buildings (32%) were destroyed were in the southwest.

Creating Fire Defense Animals around the houses in Colorado and New Mexico

At Colorado on March 31, Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 25-1009 in a law on mitigating herbal fuels. This new law allows a fire department to create a program for the abolition of dead or dry plants that can trigger private property. The new law contains many details on the requirements of the announcements to those who own or own private property with problematic vegetation. It also faces compliance and fines for violations.

The legislation was introduced this year, because Colorado has experienced long and serious fire times that today’s threats all year long for some communities. Removing the problematic dry plant material will create areas around houses where firefighters can more easily maintain defenses to protect the assets threatened by fire. The new law reported a Colorado Forestry Guide to better protect houses from fires. Is called “The ignition zone at home“The driver describes how people can create three rings around buildings to remove/reduce the risks of fire, such as the vegetation that could supply flames.

April 10 Wildfire Information Center (below the Colorado Ministry of Public Security) to include hyperlinks on its website linked to other information resources. These hyperlinks are to provide public emergency information and fire updates for each of the 64 counties in Colorado.

In the neighboring New Mexico on April 7 Senate 33 bill called “an act prepared by fire”. The new law states that the State Fire Labor Group is developing standards for creating indexing zones around the buildings to better withstand fires. The new law also supports the training of technical assistance and the support of local governments to be better prepared for fires.

Melanie Kenderdine, Minister of Energy, minerals and natural resources, issued a statement in March saying: “The 2,500 structures lost in the fires between 2022 and 2024 only emphasize the need for this critical legislation.

Utah to improve emergency reaction coordination

Utah Spencer Cox Governor issued an executive mandate in late April to create a fire management group of government agencies to improve the coordination of emergency reaction with other government interested parties. The team had been tasked with identifying areas facing the highest risks to fires and the provision of mitigation recommendations.

“When it comes to fires, the unexpected has become the new normal,” Jamie Barnes, State Forester and Director of Forest, Fire Brigade, noted statement. “Improving the effectiveness and effectiveness of our planning efforts can help reduce the risks to catastrophe and landscapes across the state – and enhances our overall fire readiness.”

The rulers of Florida and Washington sign laws to protect pets

On July 27, a new Washington law enforcement to accommodate pets in shelters during an emergency or extreme weather conditions. Home Bill 1201 He noted that one of the most pressing issues among people who decide whether to evacuate their homes is the ability to find an emergency for pets.

“Companion animal owners can deny evacuation, try to reintegrate the evacuated sites for rescue their animals, and experience the sadness, depression and disorder of post -traumatic stress due to their separation from their animal in the event of an emergency.” “The legislator further notes that gaps in readiness and opportunities for readiness and dispute during destruction or extreme weather event increase the risk of public health and safety.”

The bill noted that state legislators created legislation to improve public readiness, identifying shelters for pets in destruction or during extreme weather conditions. Residents of Washington should not choose between the search for safety elsewhere or staying with their pets at home in possible dangerous situations.

Washington governor Bob Ferguson signed the law on April 21. It requires state jurisdictions to identify emergency shelters that pets can take. It also calls on organizations to have emergency plans that include pet shelters.

ASPCA (US company for preventing animal cruelty) issued a media statement on April 21, praising Ferguson and Bill State State. Mari Leavitt (D) for the new law in force on 1 July.

“Pets are family – and no one should leave their own back in a crisis. This law ensures that emergency design reflects the reality that so many people rely on their pets for comfort, protection and connection”, Leavitt stated To a statement after the account is signed.

He noted that the new law requires local emergency designers to identify shelters where people and pets can evacuate together and include this information in official readiness documents and publish online to access emergency people.

ASPCA said 80% of people returning to the early evacuation area are trying to rescue their pets. “Not only does this endanger the lives of pet owners, but also the first correspondents, who put their lives on the line to ensure community security. added.

Unlike Washington’s law, Florida took steps to punish those who left their pets during natural disasters and extreme weather events.

In Florida on May 28, Governor Ron Desantis introduced legislation to ban a person from abandoning or leaving a dog restrained during natural disasters. The law informally was named “Law of the soldier. “Provides criminal penalties for the commitment of a dog outside to abandon it during a natural disaster.

The legislation emerged from a situation last October during Hurricane Milton when a Florida Highway Patrol soldier discovered a dog surrounded by rising rainwater. The abandoned pet was connected to an Instate 75 fence. Effective October 1, who restricts a dog outside during a natural disaster and thus abandons a third degree punishes under state law or imposes a fine of up to $ 10,000 or both.

“Throughout Florida, we have seen scary cases of animal cruelty that require a stronger response,” Desantis said on May 28 after the signing of the Senate bill 150. He noted that he was proud to adopt TROOPER’s law that day. “Florida stands by the best friend of man.”

Lessons drawn in Oklahoma by recent fires

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt ordered the creation of the work group to tackle the fire in late April. It took action after fires on March 14 spread through seven counties – killing 4 people, injuring 200 and destroying 515 houses and businesses. His request came after a preliminary report that identified “critical failures and urgent areas to improve the reaction of the state fire,” the governor’s office noted. Among the issues created were:

• Fragmented communication between active fire,
• Emergency radios cannot work between jurisdictions,
• Delays in sending resources to places in need of more in need,
• Serious deficiencies of farm volunteer firefighters,
• Inadequate planning to handle high -risk fire conditions.

“The fires will come. We cannot always stop this. But we can check how we respond.” Sharp famous.