FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A local representative is trying to tackle the threat of forest fires.

Congressman Tom McClintock is introducing two bills that aim to improve wildfire response and the health of forests.

"They're both designed to restore good management to our forestland," he said.

The Put Out The Fire Act requires the U.S. Forest Service to take down a fire immediately.

“Don't wait and let it grow out of control," McClintock explained. "[With] the Tamarack Fire a few years ago, the forest service spotted a fire on July the fourth. They allowed it to smolder for eight days until it exploded out of control on the ninth day."

He says putting out small fires early on saves money in firefighting costs.

"It's a lot cheaper to drop one bucket of water on a small fire an

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