Member in Focus: The Latino Coalition
Partners in Wildfire Prevention is a coalition of organizations from various industries, regions, and sectors committed to raising awareness about the growing wildfire crisis and advocating for a coordinated, national response to wildfires. Our broad and diverse membership demonstrates how wildfires are truly a national issue that require a national solution.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we spoke with Carlos Orta, President and CEO of The Latino Coalition (TLC), to learn how wildfires impact Hispanic communities and what they are doing to raise awareness of natural disasters.
About The Latino Coalition
Founded in 1995, TLC is a leading bipartisan advocacy organization focused on supporting Hispanic businesses in the United States (U.S.) and creating an environment where the Latino community is equipped to grow and succeed.
“Research and data are at the heart of what we do. We work closely with policymakers to analyze the impact of laws, taxes, and regulations on Latino businesses,” said Orta. “At the same time, we are building partnerships that foster job creation, economic growth, and upward mobility. That’s how we turn opportunity into reality for our community.”
Their Work on Wildfire Prevention
To ensure Latino communities are resilient, TLC provides training to small businesses on insurance, record-keeping, and digital backups, which can help them rebuild in the aftermath of natural disasters. Additionally, the organization teaches community members about defensible space, fire-resistant materials, and landscaping practices that can help protect homes and neighborhoods.
“We know the costs of doing nothing are far higher than the costs of acting early. Prevention is not just good policy, it’s smart economics,” said Orta.
What They Support
TLC highlighted how wildfires can destroy billions of dollars in homes, businesses, and infrastructure, which is why they are focused on prevention efforts like clearing vegetation and hardening infrastructure. Underscoring just how important prevention is, the organization emphasized that every $1 spent on prevention can save $6 in disaster response, helping taxpayers, businesses, and families.
Orta also noted that Latino community members often work in agriculture, construction, and outdoor industries and emphasized that protecting those on the front lines is essential to protecting the economy. Additionally, ensuring families can access resources in both English and Spanish is important to creating awareness around safety.
“Latino, rural, and lower-income communities are often hardest hit, with the fewest resources to recover,” Orta noted. “A national framework ensures prevention investments reach those who need them most.”
Why They Support the Fix Our Forests Act
The bipartisan nature of the Fix our Forests Act (FOFA) is a driver of TLC’s support for the bill. The organization believes in the importance of prevention, training, and community resilience and views FOFA as a way to protect Latino families and businesses.
“We support the Fix Our Forests Act because prevention saves lives, money, and communities. This legislation puts real resources behind thinning overgrown forests, investing in fire-resilient infrastructure, and empowering local communities,” said Orta.
Why The Latino Coalition Joined Partners in Wildfire Prevention
TLC recognizes the need for a strong national response to the wildfire crisis and views Partners in Wildfire Prevention as a key organization helping to advance this effort.
“Wildfires don’t just threaten our forests, they threaten our families, our businesses, and our way of life,” said Orta. “That’s why we’ve leaned into partnerships that bring education, prevention, and advocacy together.”
