Washington, Nov. 2 -- Congressman Michael Baumgartner issued the following press release:
Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) released the text of his Healthy Forests Incentives Act of 2026, legislation to reduce wildfire risk by connecting long-term forest stewardship with targeted incentives for businesses that put removed wood to productive use.
"Today, many of our Western forests have up to 7 times thicker tree density than they did 100 years ago," said Congressman Baumgartner. "These levels of unhealthy fuel loads contribute to extreme fire risk, particularly in forested areas near residential areas. My legislation creates incentives and a pathway to clear out these dangerous forests by harvesting timber in targeted areas....