Congresswoman Schrier Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce Wildfire Risk and Improve Forest Health

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the National Prescribed Fire Act, which would help mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Representative Schrier’s bipartisan, bicameral bill would invest in hazardous fuels management by allowing for the increased use of prescribed fires. Congresswoman Schrier is joined in introducing this legislation by Senator Ron Wyden (OR) and Representative David Valadao (CA-22). 

Wildfire season in the West has become increasingly severe and has directly affected Washington State. Wildfires have taken their toll on communities across Washington State, including the Bolt Creek Fire, which burned thousands of acres in the Eighth District and endangered the well-being of hundreds of Washingtonians. Prescribed fires are an effective, underutilized method of forest management that help to reduce the number and effects of extreme wildfires. 

“Here in Washington State, we’ve experienced the devastating impact of catastrophic wildfires firsthand, and as fires continue to grow in severity throughout the West, it’s imperative for Congress to act now and address this issue,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “My bill, the National Prescribed Fire Act, takes a sensible approach to forest management to lower the risk of catastrophic fires that harm our air quality, forests, economy, health, and communities.”

The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024 would:

• Authorize $300 million in total for accounts for the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to plan, prepare, and conduct prescribed burns on federal, state, and private lands. 
• Require the Forest Service and Department of Interior to increase the number of acres treated with prescribed fire.
• Establish a $10 million collaborative program, based on the successful Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, to implement prescribed burns on county, state, and private land at high risk of burning in a wildfire. 
• Establish a workforce development program at the Forest Service and DOI to develop, train, and hire prescribed fire practitioners, and establish employment programs for Tribes, Veterans, women, and those formerly incarcerated. 
• Require state air quality agencies to use current laws and regulations to allow larger prescribed burns and give states more flexibility in winter months to conduct prescribed burns that reduce catastrophic smoke events in the summer. 
• Provide direction for setting clear standards for prescribed fire practitioner liability and studying the merits of a claims fund to aid cross-jurisdictional wildfire prevention efforts.

“With the climate crisis making our summers hotter every year, it’s time we implement proactive strategies, not merely reactive ones,” said Senator Wyden. “Prescribed fires are the underfunded, often overlooked, and less expensive fire extinguishers backed by science, which every state needs in their back pocket. I’ve seen on-the-ground results firsthand throughout Oregon and want to see more investment in this proven firefighting approach throughout the state and across the country.”

“Every Californian knows firsthand how damaging wildfires can be –- especially for smaller, rural communities. Not only do these fires destroy towns, cities, and forested areas, but they severely impact air quality here in the Valley. Over the past few years, it’s become increasingly clear we need better ways of preventing these devastating fires from breaking out to begin with,” said Congressman Valadao. “The National Prescribed Fire Act will enact commonsense forest management reforms to help prevent wildfires and save lives. I’m proud to join Rep. Schrier in introducing this important legislation.”

 "Prescribed and cultural burning are the most effective, yet underutilized tools to address the nation's wildfire crisis,” said Dylan Kruse, Vice President of Sustainable Northwest. “This bill proposes comprehensive and practical solutions to increase safe use of beneficial fire to restore forest health, protect communities, and reduce the risk of mega-fires. Congress should act to pass it immediately."

“The outdoor recreation community is increasingly affected by severe wildfires, which threaten public lands and recreation opportunities,” said Louis Geltman, Vice President of Policy & Government Relations at Outdoor Alliance. “Prescribed fire is a critical and under-used tool for building fire resilience, especially in the western U.S. The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024 would help increase the pace and scale of prescribed fire in areas where it is needed most and provide land managers with the tools they need to ensure that projects move forward with broad public engagement and support, including from outdoor recreationists. We commend Senator Wyden and Representative Schrier for their work to address America’s wildfire crisis.”

"The National Prescribed Fire Act will break down barriers to implementing prescribed fire here in Washington," said Samantha Schinnell, Chair of the Washington Prescribed Fire Council. “We see firsthand the challenges to using prescribed fire as a tool to improve forest health and build community resilience to wildfires. We welcome this comprehensive bill from Rep. Schrier to scale the use of prescribed fire by promoting cross boundary coordination, supporting workforce development, and authorizing new funding for prescribed fire programs.”

“This bill addresses a high priority need in Central Washington,” said Darcy Batura, Forest Partnerships Director for The Nature Conservancy in Washington. “We know we need to ramp up the use of prescribed fire to improve forest health and keep our communities safe. The National Prescribed Fire Act provides critical tools to help private, state, federal, and tribal land managers bring beneficial fire back to the landscape - a win/win for forests and communities. We appreciate Rep Schrier's leadership in introducing this important legislation for Washington and the nation."