Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have joined Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and six Senate colleagues in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure all communities receive federal resources needed to respond to and prevent wildfires.

The senators' letter focuses on two FEMA programs: Fire Management Assistance Grants, which states can request to cover emergency response, firefighting, and administrative costs, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which communities can access following a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration to rebuild and reduce future wildfire risks. Many communities are still waiting for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding from previous wildfires, the senators noted, leaving them vulnerable to ongoing and future disasters.

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"Wildfires are one of the most frequently recurring disasters that, while once common only to western states, have recently become a major threat to communities across the country," the senators wrote. "These wildfires can be lethal and destroy critical infrastructure and entire residential communities, negatively affect public health through harmful smoke and air pollutants, and place large economic burdens on urban and rural communities."

The senators cited that over 3.1 million acres have burned across the country since the beginning of the year, calling it the second largest number of acres burned in a January to July period in the past 10 years, and pointed to persistent drought and expected above-normal wildfire activity as additional concerns.

"As we approach the summer months and prepare for above normal wildfire activity, we urge you to ensure FEMA can quickly respond to future wildfires and that FMAG and HMGP Post Fire funds are promptly approved and distributed to communities, including those in rural areas," the senators wrote.