Bipartisan lawmakers are pushing for the National Prescribed Fire Act to combat costly, destructive wildfires by dramatically increasing controlled burns across federal lands—ensuring taxpayers fund prevention rather than endless disaster response.
Key Takeaways
- A bipartisan coalition including Senators Ron Wyden, Ted Budd, and Representatives Kim Schrier and David Valadao has introduced the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 to increase controlled burns by 10% annually.
- The bill authorizes $300 million for prescribed burns across federal lands and would require at least 1 million acres to be treated each year.
- The legislation allows for year-round prescribed burns, particularly during cooler months, addressing permitting delays that have previously hampered preventative efforts.
- A new workforce development program would create partnerships with tribal nations, local fire departments, and conservation groups, with specific grants for veterans and underserved communities.
Fighting Fire with Fire: A Conservative Approach to Forest Management
The National Prescribed Fire Act represents a refreshingly common-sense approach to wildfire management that conservatives should embrace. Rather than throwing endless taxpayer dollars at emergency wildfire response after disasters strike, this legislation focuses on preventative measures that have proven effective for generations. By increasing controlled burns during cooler, wetter seasons, federal land managers can reduce hazardous fuel loads that accumulate in America’s forests, particularly in western states where environmental restrictions have often prevented proper forest management.
“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.
The legislation requires federal land agencies to increase prescribed fire use by 10% annually, setting a target of at least 1 million acres treated per year. This represents a shift away from the failed policies of excessive fire suppression that have allowed dangerous levels of vegetation to accumulate in forests, creating tinderbox conditions. The bill further addresses bureaucratic obstacles by providing tools for smoke management and streamlining the permitting process that has historically delayed prescribed burns even during ideal weather conditions.
Fiscal Responsibility Through Prevention
The $300 million authorization for prescribed burns might raise eyebrows among fiscal conservatives, but this investment represents prudent financial management when compared to the billions spent annually on emergency wildfire suppression and disaster recovery. For years, conservatives have argued for proactive government spending that prevents larger costs down the road, and this bill embodies that principle. By treating forests during the winter and early spring months, when conditions are safer and more controlled, taxpayers will see substantial long-term savings.
“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,” said Senator Budd.
The bill’s focus on workforce development through partnerships with tribal nations, local fire departments, and conservation groups also aligns with conservative values of local control and community involvement. Rather than expanding federal bureaucracy, the legislation emphasizes training programs and practical skills development, including opportunities for military veterans and rural communities most affected by catastrophic wildfires. This represents smart governance that empowers communities rather than distant federal agencies.
Breaking Through Regulatory Roadblocks
Perhaps most importantly for conservative supporters, this legislation directly addresses the regulatory obstacles that have prevented effective forest management for decades. By providing air quality management tools to state agencies and allowing year-round burns when conditions permit, the bill tackles the bureaucratic red tape that has hamstrung land managers trying to implement proven practices. For too long, excessive environmental restrictions have prevented the very management techniques that would best preserve our forests.
“In California, we understand the dangerous impact of wildfires — from damage to property to loss of life,” he said. “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,” said Valadao.
While previous versions of this legislation introduced in 2021 and 2024 failed to advance out of committee, growing concerns over wildfire costs and public health impacts from massive smoke events have increased its chances of passage. Agricultural groups across California and the Pacific Northwest have endorsed the bill, recognizing that controlled burns represent a return to traditional land management practices that worked effectively before modern environmental restrictions took hold. President Trump’s administration consistently supported active forest management, and this bill continues that practical approach to preventing wildfire disasters.
