A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is backing new legislation that could make it easier for rural, wildfire-prone communities to upgrade water infrastructure used for both drinking water and firefighting.

The FIRE SMART Act, introduced June 17 by Senators Alex Padilla (D-California) and John Curtis (R-Utah), would expand eligibility for federal funding through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The change would allow certain water projects in communities with fewer than 50,000 residents to qualify for funding if they provide both drinking water and wildfire suppression benefits.

Supporters say many rural communities across the West have water systems that meet everyday needs but lack the flow capacity needed when firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire. The legislation is intended to help communities modernize water systems, improve fire flow capacity, and strengthen emergency response capabilities.

Eight senators have signed on as co-sponsors, including California Senator Adam Schiff, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Montana Senator Tim Sheehy, and Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley.

The bill has also received support from organizations representing fire districts, water agencies, special districts, and rural communities throughout the West. Backers point to lessons learned during the 2021 Caldor Fire near Lake Tahoe, where officials say neighborhoods in Christmas Valley benefited from a combination of fuel reduction efforts, fire-adapted community planning, and water infrastructure capable of supporting firefighting operations.

While the legislation would apply nationwide, its impact could be particularly significant for mountain communities across California, where wildfire risk remains high and many local water systems serve small populations spread across large rural areas.

The FIRE SMART Act has been referred to Congress for consideration and would require approval by both the Senate and House before becoming law.