Fix Our Forests Act

This legislation aims to cut wildfire risk and restore overgrown forests on federal and Tribal lands. It targets the highest‑risk areas (firesheds) using a new Wildfire Intelligence Center and local “fireshed assessments” that map threats to people, homes, water, and wildlife. Many of these tools run for up to seven years. It also requires clear public reports on how many acres were treated, where, the cost, and how well treatments worked, and launches a pilot to test new tools like artificial intelligence, satellite detection, and better communications. It even studies new aerial firefighting systems and pest outbreaks like pine beetles.

For communities, it creates a program to help towns and Tribes build safer homes and neighborhoods—supporting stronger building codes, defensible space, and local partnerships. Grants can fund fuel reduction, home retrofits, safer evacuation routes, and proven wildfire tech, and there’s an innovation prize to spark better designs. The bill also strengthens controlled (prescribed) burns with clearer safety rules and more Tribal and local involvement; speeds up work by expanding who can partner with federal land agencies (including Tribes and special districts) and allowing larger projects; and boosts reforestation by growing seed and nursery capacity, creating a reforestation program for lands unlikely to regrow on their own, and restoring white oak forests and wildlife habitat.

• Who is affected: People in fire‑prone communities, homeowners, Tribes, local governments, land managers, and firefighters.
• What changes: Smarter planning in high‑risk areas; community grants for defensible space, home hardening, and safer evacuation routes; safer prescribed fire; larger projects with more partners; better public reporting; testing new wildfire tech; more seeds and seedlings; and restoration of key tree species like white oak.
• When: Some steps start quickly (for example, the community program within 30 days), several assessments and evaluations are due within 90–120 days, and major programs like the tech pilot and reforestation program launch within 1 year. Many parts run for up to seven years.