Overview
- The Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act, introduced by Sens. Adam Schiff and John Curtis with co-sponsors Alex Padilla and Tim Sheehy, directs the Forest Service and Interior Department to set respiratory-protection rules for federal crews.
- Under the proposal, firefighters and support staff would have to use approved respirators when smoke exposure exceeds limits established with workplace-safety agencies.
- Current Forest Service guidance from September permits voluntary N95 use but prohibits respirators during arduous fireline work and does not address gases and vapors that N95s cannot filter.
- Research cited by lawmakers links repeated wildfire smoke exposure to higher cancer risks and about a decade shorter life expectancy for firefighters.
- Firefighter unions and groups including Grassroots Wildland Firefighters endorse the effort while stressing that any gear must be practical for long, strenuous shifts in remote terrain, and the bill still requires congressional approval before rules take effect.