Bill > S2015

This bill, titled the "National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025", aims to encourage and expand the use of prescribed fire (controlled burns) on federal lands, with a particular focus on the western and southeastern United States. The bill directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to increase prescribed fire activities by 10% annually, establish collaborative prescribed fire programs, and provide funding and support for fire management. Key provisions include creating dedicated prescribed fire task forces, developing landscape-scale fire plans, providing liability protections for fire managers, offering career pathways for firefighters (including veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals), and establishing training programs. The bill also emphasizes working with Native American Tribes and Indigenous practitioners, recognizing their traditional cultural burning practices. Additionally, the legislation includes environmental considerations, such as developing smoke management strategies and tools to mitigate air quality impacts. The bill seeks to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risks, support ecological restoration, and create employment opportunities in fire management, with a comprehensive approach to implementing prescribed fire across federal, state, tribal, and private lands.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2015/all-info