National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025

Summary

Authorizes the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to use up to 15% of certain hazardous fuels funds to expand and support landscape-scale prescribed fire across Federal lands, with a range of eligible activities (planning, NEPA review, training, monitoring, grants, and collaborative programs). It sets a national goal of increasing Federal prescribed-fire acres by at least 10% each year for 10 years, creates authorities for long-term cooperative agreements and workforce/hiring and training actions, clarifies liability and air-quality coordination, and requires annual reporting and implementation reports to Congress. The law defines key terms, limits and caps on projects and funding, protections for Tribal resources and critical habitat, procedures for project nomination and selection, and deadlines for State reporting (including a December 31 submission deadline to remain eligible). It also directs research, public education, and support for smoke and public-health tools while allowing financial assistance to States for reporting costs when funds are available.

Key Points

• Authorizes Agriculture and Interior to use up to 15% of certain hazardous fuels funds to expand prescribed fire on Federal lands.
• Defines "prescribed fire" (excluding pile burning) and requires landscape-scale plans and protections for Tribal resources and critical habitat.
• Establishes a national target to increase Federal prescribed-fire acres by at least 10% each year for 10 years.

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