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

    Sec. 103. Policies and practices Since introduced

    (a) Increasing prescribed fire. Beginning with the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act, and for each of the 9 fiscal years thereafter, the Secretaries shall conduct prescribed fires on Federal land such that the total acreage of Federal land on which prescribed fires are conducted is 10 percent greater than the total acreage of all Federal land on which prescribed fires were conducted during the preceding fiscal year.

    (b) Operational strategy. The Secretary concerned shall develop, in coordination with State, local, and Tribal governments, a prescribed fire operational strategy for each region of the National Forest System or the Department of the Interior, as applicable, that describes—

    (1) the fire deficit by region; and

    (2) staffing and funding needs to address the fire deficit under paragraph (1).

    II Facilitating implementation and outreach

    III Reporting

    I Use of funds

    II Facilitating implementation and outreach

    III Reporting; other matters