Bipartisan bill aims to combat wildfires with prescribed burns

In a bid to tackle the increasing threat of wildfires, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ted Budd, R-N.C., along with U.S. Representatives Kim Schrier, D-Wash., and David Valadao, R-Calif., have introduced the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025.

The bipartisan legislation seeks to promote prescribed burns as a strategic measure to mitigate the devastating impacts of wildfires across the nation.

In 2024, wildfires ravaged 8.9 million acres of land, marking one of the highest totals on record. 

The Forest Service has struggled to manage the hazardous fuel backlog as the nation faces increasingly hotter and drier fire seasons.

The proposed legislation aims to invest in hazardous fuels management by increasing the pace and scale of prescribed burns during cooler, wetter months. It also seeks to develop a skilled prescribed fire workforce and provide tools for smoke management and permitting during winter months to prevent catastrophic fires and smoke in the summer.

"It’s no secret that rising temperatures and increased drought are leading to more and more wildfires, and firefighters are struggling to keep up as they put their lives on the line. We can no longer wait for disaster to strike before we address these fires destroying our neighborhoods and even taking people’s lives," Senator Wyden stated.

Senator Budd highlighted the wildfire risks in North Carolina, saying, "Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, thousands of acres of North Carolina forest were left destroyed. Now, these downed trees and piles of leaves represent a serious wildfire risk."

"Here in Washington State, we experience devastating wildfires every year. That’s why Congress must act now and address this issue," Representative Schrier said.

Representative Valadao added, "In California, we understand the dangerous impact of wildfires—from damage to property to loss of life. By prescribing controlled burns to fire-adapted land in a safe and supervised way, we can limit dangerous fuel buildup and help reduce the threat of future wildfires."

The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 outlines several key initiatives, including funding for the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to conduct prescribed burns, increasing the number of acres treated, and establishing a workforce development program. It also aims to facilitate coordination between land managers and air quality agencies to allow larger prescribed burns and provide states with more flexibility in conducting burns during winter months.