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Last progress June 11, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 11, 2025 by Ruben Gallego
Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture, the Interior, and Homeland Security (through designated agencies) to carry out a coordinated, science-informed quadrennial review of the comprehensive wildfire environment in the United States. The agencies must analyze changes in built and natural environments and the links between wildfire and public health, and deliver a report with findings, recommendations, and projected future scenarios to specified congressional committees within 1 year of enactment and then every 4 years for the next 20 years.
Wildfire management is a complex, multi-jurisdictional issue that requires a whole-of-government approach before, during, and after a fire.
Wildfires spread quickly and may invoke various Federal, State, Tribal, and local jurisdictions simultaneously.
Effective wildfire management requires interagency, cross-boundary, strategic, and holistic solutions.
Relevant Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments should be included in any planning, decision-making, or response activities with respect to wildfire management.
A purpose of a quadrennial fire review is to (A) forecast conditions that may present the greatest challenges for wildland fire management throughout the 20-year period immediately following such review; and (B) inform the development of long-term, strategic actions to address such challenges.
Federal land and emergency management agencies are directly affected because they must plan, conduct, and jointly produce the quadrennial reviews and reports. State, Tribal, and local governments, along with fire and rescue organizations and public health agencies, will be affected indirectly: they are likely to be consulted, provide data, and use the review's findings to guide planning, risk reduction, and public-health preparedness. Communities in fire-prone areas may benefit over time from clearer, evidence-based recommendations and scenario planning that inform investments and mitigation. The requirement to produce recurring, multi-decade reports creates a sustained information stream to Congress and stakeholders that can influence future funding decisions, policy changes, and program priorities but does not itself allocate funds or force local actions.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Updated 3 days ago
Last progress June 11, 2025 (8 months ago)