Congressman Ken Calvert, representing California's 41st district, has reintroduced the Ending Major Borderland Environmental Ruin from Wildfires (EMBER) Act, also known as H.R. 2026. The proposed legislation aims to mitigate wildfire threats along the southern border and safeguard the operations of Border Patrol officers. This bill is a component of a broader legislative initiative called the Federal Lands Amplified Security for the Homeland Act (FLASH Act), which was discussed in a hearing before the House Natural Resources Committee.
“The EMBER Act will improve border security and reduce wildfire risks by restoring the Southern Border Fuels Management Initiative,” stated Rep. Calvert. He emphasized that restarting this initiative is "a common-sense approach that will create a safer wildland interface with our southern border."
The key objectives of the EMBER Act include reinstating and formalizing the Southern Border Fuels Management Initiative, previously terminated under the Biden-Harris administration. This would involve conducting hazardous fuels activities near the southern border to enhance visibility for Border Patrol officers and decrease wildfire risks. Additionally, it mandates collaboration among the Secretaries of Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security to implement policies aimed at minimizing catastrophic wildfires potentially ignited by illegal immigration activities such as unauthorized campfires.
The background context highlights significant executive orders related to forest management practices aimed at reducing wildfire risks. On January 27, 2021, President Biden signed Executive Order 13990 which nullified an earlier order promoting active management of federal lands for improved conditions and reduced wildfire risk. More recently, on March 1, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order focused on enhancing forest management and wildfire suppression efforts.