Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025
Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025 - Summary **What the bill does:** The Wildfire Prevention Act aims to reduce wildfires on federal lands by requiring the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to significantly increase forest management activities. Specifically, it sets a goal to increase by at least 40% by 2029 the number of acres that are mechanically thinned (removing trees and vegetation) and treated with prescribed fire (controlled burns) compared to 2019-2023 averages. The bill also requires these agencies to standardize how they track wildfire prevention work and explore using livestock grazing as a tool to reduce fire risk on federal land. **Who it affects:** This bill primarily impacts federal land management agencies and the communities near the roughly 640 million acres of federal forest and rangeland.
It could affect environmental groups, timber companies, ranchers, and residents in western states where wildfires are most prevalent. The increased management activities would also involve coordination with state and local governments. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) in the 119th Congress and is currently under review in committee. It has not yet been voted on or passed.
CRS Official Summary
This bill establishes forest management requirements for federal lands, particularly with respect to reducing wildfires. For example, the bill establishes annual goals to increase (1) the number of acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land that are mechanically thinned (i.e., a management process related to the removal of trees and vegetation); and (2) the number of acres of Forest Service and BLM land treated by prescribed fire. By FY2029, the goals must be to increase the number of acres of each by at least 40% compared to the average number of acres of each in FY2019-FY2023.The bill also directs the Forest Service and the BLM to (1) implement standardized procedures for tracking data relating to hazardous fuels reduction activities they carry out, and (2) develop a strategy to identify opportunities to use livestock grazing as a wildfire risk reduction tool on federal land. Additionally, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior must establish a deployment and test bed pilot program for wildfire prevention, detection, communication, and mitigation technologies.The bill mandates use of existing authorities for expedited environmental review for certain forest land at high risk from wildfire, insects, or disease.Finally, the bill provides local governments and Indian tribes the right to intervene in lawsuits concerning certain projects on federal land that (1) reduce risks posed by wildfire, insects, or disease; or (2) generate revenue from harvesting timber.
Latest Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.