S. 2015

National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025

Sponsor: Ron Wyden

5 cosponsors
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Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025

    This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to increase the number and size of prescribed fires conducted on federal lands.

    For 10 years, Interior and USDA must annually conduct prescribed fires on federal land so that the total acreage where prescribed fires are conducted is 10% greater than the previous fiscal year. 

    Interior and USDA must establish a collaborative prescribed fire program to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to conduct prescribed fires in priority landscapes.

    Interior and USDA may enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with states, Indian tribes, counties, municipal governments, fire districts, nongovernmental organizations, or private entities to coordinate prescribed fires on federal land.

    Interior and USDA must expand employment opportunities for prescribed fire practitioners, including by expanding hazard pay, supporting underrepresented groups, and establishing additional training centers. 

    To address the public health and safety risk of the expanded use of prescribed fire, the Environmental Protection Agency must coordinate with state, tribal, and local air quality agencies to support the environmental review of wildland fires.

    Text of the bill

    Expand all

    I Use of funds

    II Facilitating implementation and outreach

    III Reporting

    I Use of funds

    II Facilitating implementation and outreach

    III Reporting; other matters

    Sec. 301. Annual reports to National Fire Planning and Operations Database Since introduced

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to ensure an accurate reporting of annual prescribed fire accomplishments in the United States.

    (b) Cost-Share. Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary may provide financial assistance to States to pay a portion of the costs associated with annually reporting to the National Fire Planning and Operations Database (or a successor database) the prescribed fire accomplishments of the State.

    (c) Eligibility for funds. If, by December 31 of a calendar year, a State has not submitted to the National Fire Planning and Operations Database (or a successor database) a report describing, at a minimum, the number of acres on which uncharacteristic wildfire risk is effectively mitigated using prescribed fire in the State, the State shall not be eligible to receive any amounts made available under this Act for the previous fiscal year.