Ending Major Borderland Environmental Ruin from Wildfires (EMBER) Act

The Ending Major Borderland Environmental Ruin from Wildfires (EMBER) Act focuses on reducing wildfires and environmental damage along the U.S.–Mexico border. It creates a Southern Border Fuels Management Initiative run by the Interior Department to manage vegetation, remove hazardous fuels, deal with invasive plants, build fuel breaks, and set yearly treatment targets. The goals are to lower wildfire risk, make the land more resilient, and improve operational control and visibility for law enforcement along the border.

The bill also directs federal agencies to, within 90 days, set policies to prevent wildfires started by people without lawful immigration status (the bill’s term: “aliens without lawful immigration status”) and to curb trash and other damage on federal lands near the border—especially in sensitive areas where people, homes, wildlife habitat, water sources, or public infrastructure could be harmed. Agencies must report back in a year with details on fires and environmental damage, cleanup costs, and where incidents occurred, and the GAO must update a related 2011 report within two years.

• Who is affected: Communities and lands along the southern border; Border Patrol and other law enforcement; federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies that manage land and public safety.
• What changes: New borderland vegetation management program; coordination with the Forest Service, Border Patrol, and state/local/Tribal law enforcement; policies to reduce trash and prevent fires; required reporting on incidents and needs .
• Money: Authorizes $3.66 million each year from 2026 through 2032 for the initiative.
• When: Initiative set up within 1 year; prevention policies within 90 days; report to Congress within 1 year; GAO update within 2 years; program ends 7 years after enactment .