A forestry official reported on forest management and wildfire response in Avery County: 51 wildfires burned 277 acres over the past year, two record-setting fires threatened dozens of structures, and federal mitigation programs (DMP/CPP/EWP) have funded multiple projects and created road and fuel‑reduction work for landowners.

An agency official told the Emery County Public Lands Council the lightning‑started Black Canyon Fire has burned roughly 1,100 acres and remains difficult to access; firefighters prioritized protecting Reader subdivision and structures using helicopters, aircraft and retardant lines.

Safety staff told the board intruder‑detection audits and the district vulnerability assessment found strong safety practices and no major findings; recommended fixes include updated campus maps, impact‑resistant film for some doors/windows, and locking roof‑access doors.

Speaker Menon announced a council committee to combat hate, instructed the ethics committee to conclude its review of remarks by Council member Vicky Paladino, and previewed bills directing NYPD to publish public perimeter plans to ensure safe entry and exit at houses of worship and schools while preserving peaceful protest rights.

Utah enacts the Security Improvements Act to enhance protections for threatened individuals.