Senator John Curtis joined a legislative team to introduce the FIRE SMART Act, a new piece of legislation designed to bolster wildfire resiliency in rural areas like the Uintah Basin by optimizing water infrastructure for emergency responders.
Legislation details and committee involvement
According to a release from Senator Curtis' office on June 19, 2026, the proposed legislation focuses on providing high-risk communities with the necessary tools to protect lives and property during active wildfires. As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Curtis is part of the group introducing the act.
Improving water infrastructure for firefighting
The FIRE SMART Act aims to increase the ability of rural areas to manage fire threats by ensuring that water infrastructure can provide the flow required by emergency personnel to combat active blazes. The legislation seeks to amend the Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to expand eligibility for specific types of projects.
Expanding federal funding eligibility criteria
The proposed changes would allow water infrastructure projects to qualify for federal funding if they demonstrate dual benefits. Specifically, the act targets projects that contribute to both the maintenance of reliable drinking water and the enhancement of wildfire suppression capabilities.
Addressing increasing wildfire threats
Senator Curtis emphasized the growing necessity of these upgrades as wildfires present an increasing threat to Utah and the broader Western United States. He stated that rural communities require better access to the infrastructure needed to safeguard their populations.
“As wildfires continue to threaten Utah and the West, rural communities need access to the tools and infrastructure necessary to protect lives and property,” Curtis said in the June 19 announcement.
Balancing drinking water and safety
The senator noted that the legislative goal is to improve public safety without compromising the primary function of water systems. By assisting small, high-risk communities in upgrading critical components of their water networks, the act intends to maintain the core mission of providing reliable drinking water while simultaneously preparing for fire emergencies.
The introduction of the FIRE SMART Act highlights a legislative effort to address the specific vulnerabilities faced by rural western landscapes. By leveraging existing EPA revolving funds, the act seeks to bridge the gap between municipal water needs and emergency fire response requirements.
