Napolitano said it is "time to face reality" with new funding ideas so fighting megafires does not come from funds set aside for fire prevention or other portions of the agencies' budgets.

"We cannot afford to let this dangerous trend continue," she said.

The bill still needs to be approved by the committee before it would move to the House floor and over to the Senate for an additional vote.

Bishop and Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, sit on the House Resources Committee, which would take up the bills.

"Both pieces of legislation to remedy this shortfall have merit," Cannon said. "I am hopeful we can harmonize the two to balance the need for forest management and wildfire preparation. Creating a rainy-day fund for fire suppression and forest management is a good idea that both bills hope to achieve."

---

E-mail: suzanne@desnews.com