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APCIA urges Congress to pass Fix Our Forests Act amid wildfires

Wildfires are driving displacement and large-fire activity in the Pacific Northwest, while APCIA says federal action has stalled on the bipartisan measure.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Industry & Deals

Wildfires are displacing residents and destroying structures across the western United States, with Insurance Journal citing National Interagency Fire Center data showing 49 uncontained large fires burning in Washington and Oregon as of Aug. 5. The outlet also reported that about 10% of Spokane, Washington residents were ordered to leave their homes, and that 13 states were reporting large fires, with elevated activity in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada.

Insurance Journal said nationwide wildfire response efforts involve more than 28,700 personnel and that the insurance industry is pushing for federal legislation it argues would reduce future catastrophe risk. The American Property Casualty Insurance Association says lawmakers in the House and Senate are still considering the Fix Our Forests Act after the measure saw limited progress, including a version passed by a Senate committee in October 2025.

APCIA president and CEO David A. Sampson said the current wildfire destruction highlights the urgent need for Congress to pass the bipartisan act. In the insurance association’s view, the legislation would support better forest management, hazardous fuels reduction, and stronger community resilience efforts.

Insurance Journal also reported that more than 40 organizations sought to add the Fix Our Forests Act as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, and that APCIA is urging the Senate to move the bill or include it in the next legislative package to get it enacted.

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