Lawmakers propose a bipartisan solution to increase prescribed burns by 10% annually, potentially saving taxpayers billions in wildfire damages while leftist environmental policies have let forests become tinderboxes.
Key Takeaways
- A bipartisan group of legislators has reintroduced the National Prescribed Fire Act to increase controlled burns by 10% annually, targeting at least 1 million acres per year.
- The bill authorizes $300 million for prescribed burns across public and private lands and creates a workforce development program partnering with tribal nations and local fire departments.
- Prescribed burns would be allowed year-round with streamlined permitting processes, addressing current bureaucratic bottlenecks that hamper effective forest management.
- The legislation targets the growing crisis of catastrophic wildfires that have intensified under decades of misguided environmental policies restricting proper forest management.
Fighting Fire with Fire: A Common-Sense Approach to Wildfire Prevention
As catastrophic wildfires continue to devastate American communities each year, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing for a solution that addresses the root cause rather than merely responding to disasters after they occur. The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025, introduced by Senators Ron Wyden (R-OR) and Ted Budd (R-NC), along with Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA) and David Valadao (R-CA), aims to break the cycle of ever-worsening wildfire seasons by dramatically increasing the use of controlled burns across federal lands. This legislation represents a return to traditional land management practices that environmentalist policies have effectively suppressed for decades.
“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,” said Senator Wyden in a statement.
Funding a Return to Sensible Forest Management
The legislation authorizes $300 million for prescribed burn operations, a fraction of what taxpayers currently shell out for emergency wildfire suppression efforts. Federal land agencies would be required to increase prescribed fire use by 10% annually, with a goal of treating at least one million acres per year. This approach recognizes what forest management experts and indigenous communities have known for centuries – that small, controlled fires are essential for preventing the massive, uncontrollable blazes that have become all too common in western states where radical environmental policies have created powder kegs of overgrown forests.
“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,” explained Senator Budd.
Cutting Through Bureaucratic Red Tape
One of the most significant barriers to effective forest management has been the web of permitting requirements and regulations that make prescribed burns difficult to implement. The proposed legislation directly addresses this problem by providing air quality management tools to state and federal agencies and allowing burns to be conducted year-round, particularly during winter months when conditions are safer. By streamlining these processes, the bill removes obstacles created by decades of environmental overregulation that have prevented proper forest maintenance.
“In California, we understand the dangerous impact of wildfires — from damage to property to loss of life,” said Representative Valadao. “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.”
Building a Skilled Workforce
The legislation also addresses the need for a trained workforce to implement these prescribed burns safely and effectively. It establishes a workforce development program to train and hire prescribed fire practitioners, partnering with tribal nations, local fire departments, and conservation groups. This approach not only creates jobs but also taps into the generational knowledge of tribal communities who have traditionally used controlled burns as a land management practice before government policies suppressed these techniques.
The bill has garnered support from agricultural groups across California and the Pacific Northwest, as well as conservation organizations like Tall Timbers and The Nature Conservancy. These endorsements reflect growing consensus that current wildfire management strategies have failed, largely due to environmentalist policies that have prioritized hands-off approaches over active land management. After years of watching forests burn catastrophically, even traditionally environmental organizations are recognizing the need for human intervention through prescribed burns.
Previous Attempts and Future Prospects
This legislation isn’t new – similar versions were introduced in 2021 and 2024 but failed to advance out of committee. However, with wildfire costs skyrocketing and communities increasingly impacted by smoke and destruction, there’s renewed hope for passage. The bipartisan nature of the bill demonstrates how the practical reality of managing natural resources can transcend political divisions when common sense solutions are proposed that benefit taxpayers and communities alike.
“Here in Washington State, we experience devastating wildfires every year. That’s why Congress must act now and address this issue,” said Representative Schrier.
