National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025

This bill pushes the safe, planned use of fire to reduce fuel and prevent big wildfires on federal lands, especially in western and southeastern forests. It also recognizes and supports cultural burning by Tribes and Indigenous practitioners. A “prescribed fire” here means a fire set on purpose under a plan to burn wildland fuels.

It increases the pace of prescribed burns, gives agencies more flexibility to fund this work (including training and community outreach), builds partnerships across federal, state, Tribal, local, and private lands, grows and trains the workforce, coordinates on smoke and public health, and adds accountability through planning and yearly reports.

• Who is affected

  • Federal land managers (Interior and Forest Service), Tribes and Indigenous fire practitioners, states, counties/cities, fire districts, nonprofits, and private partners.
  • Fire crews and trainees, including seasonal employees, veterans, and some formerly incarcerated people with wildfire training.
  • Nearby communities affected by smoke and wildfire risk.

• What changes

  • Prescribed fire on federal land must grow by 10% more acres each year for about 10 years.
  • Agencies can use up to 15% of certain wildfire funds for prescribed fire work, including grants, training, outreach, and even burns on non‑federal land if they help federal land.
  • A new program funds large, cross‑boundary projects guided by science and community input; typical landscapes are 50,000 acres or more, with caps on total and per‑project funding.
  • Long‑term agreements (up to 10 years) let states, Tribes, local governments, nonprofits, and private groups help plan and conduct burns on federal land.
  • Workforce boosts: hazard pay for burn work; regional task forces to plan and lead burns; easier paths from seasonal to permanent jobs; new training centers, including an Indigenous‑led center; pathways for qualified veterans and certain formerly incarcerated people.
  • Liability protections extend to non‑federal partners while doing covered burn work, with guidance and funding to handle claims.
  • Better smoke management and public health steps with EPA and health agencies, including tools, guidance, and options for “exceptional event” demonstrations; agencies must develop large‑area burn plans and follow environmental and wildlife laws.

• When

  • The 10% yearly increase starts the first fiscal year after the bill becomes law and continues for nine more years.
  • Task forces are set up within 180 days; new training centers come within two years.
  • Some program funding runs through 2034.
  • States must report yearly prescribed‑fire results by December 31 to keep funding under the bill.