ENROLLED
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 120
BY REPRESENTATIVE BERTHELOT
A RESOLUTION
To designate May 1 through 7, 2016, as "Arson Awareness Week" in Louisiana.
WHEREAS, the U.S. Fire Administration, along with several partner agencies, has
declared May 1 through 7, 2016, as National Arson Awareness Week and the theme for 2016
is "Prevent Wildfire Arson–Spread the Facts, Not the Fire"; and
WHEREAS, wildfire arson is the willful, malicious, intentional or reckless burning
of property that takes place on underdeveloped wildland or uncultivated land comprised of
forest, brush, or grassland; and
WHEREAS, according to the Department of Interior's Wildland Fire Management
Information System, during the five-year period from 2010 to 2014, twenty-three percent
of fires reported were a result of arson; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Forest Service, individual arson fires can cause
damages to resources and communities totaling more than one hundred million dollars; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2007 to
2011, twenty percent of reported brush, grass, or forest fires were intentionally set; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Association of State Foresters, more than
seventy-two thousand U.S. communities are now at risk from wildfires within the wildland
urban interface; and
WHEREAS, the week of May 1 through May 7, 2016, is designated Arson
Awareness Week both nationally and in the state of Louisiana to focus attention on the
prevention of wildfire arson, particularly in the wildland-urban interface.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate May 1 through 7, 2016, as Arson Awareness
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Week in Louisiana and does hereby pay special tribute to all fire and law enforcement
investigative agencies for their dedicated and tireless service to the citizens of the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Chief
H. "Butch" Browning and Deputy Chief Brant L. Thompson of the Louisiana office of the
state fire marshal.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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