# Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act

When wildfires strike, they don't just destroy homes and forests—they also knock out cell towers, internet infrastructure, and emergency communication systems that people depend on to call for help or get evacuation warnings. This bill addresses that critical problem by requiring better planning and preparation to keep communications working during and after major wildfires.

The legislation focuses on making sure that phone networks, internet services, and emergency alert systems can stay operational or quickly recover when wildfires damage the infrastructure that supports them. This means telecommunications companies need to develop backup plans, invest in more resilient equipment, and coordinate with emergency management agencies to ensure that when a wildfire hits, people can still make emergency calls, receive evacuation alerts, and access critical information. The bill essentially says that communication companies can't just rebuild after a disaster—they need to prepare now so that when the next big fire happens, their systems keep working or get back online faster.

For everyday people, this means better chances of being able to call 911 during a wildfire emergency, more reliable access to evacuation orders and safety information, and faster restoration of phone and internet service after a fire passes through. For rural and remote areas that are particularly vulnerable to wildfires, this could be especially important since these communities often have fewer backup communication options. The bill recognizes that in a wildfire emergency, staying connected isn't a luxury—it's a lifeline.

Wildfire Communications Resiliency Act

Bentz, Cliff

Wildfire Communications Resiliency ActThis bill exempts certain post-wildfire communications infrastructure projects from specified federal environmental and historic preservation review requirements.&nbsp;Specifically, the bill exempts from review projects that (1) are to be carried out within five years of the declaration of a wildfire-related major disaster or emergency in a given area; (2) are to be carried out entirely within the area for which the major disaster or emergency was declared; and (3) will replace a communications facility damaged by the major disaster or emergency, or make improvements to a communications&nbsp;facility that are necessary for recovery or to prevent or mitigate a future major disaster or emergency. To qualify under the bill, a major disaster or emergency must have been declared by the President, a state governor, or a tribal chief executive.&nbsp;The bill specifies that these projects are not considered major federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 or undertakings under the National Historic Preservation Act, thus exempting such projects from the review procedures required under those acts.