National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025
- Last Action
- 12/17/2025
Actions
- 2025-12-17Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2025-06-10Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-06-10Introduced in Senate
CRS Summary
As of 2025-06-10 (00)
National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to increase the number and size of prescribed fires conducted on federal lands.
For 10 years, Interior and USDA must annually conduct prescribed fires on federal land so that the total acreage where prescribed fires are conducted is 10% greater than the previous fiscal year.
Interior and USDA must establish a collaborative prescribed fire program to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to conduct prescribed fires in priority landscapes.
Interior and USDA may enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with states, Indian tribes, counties, municipal governments, fire districts, nongovernmental organizations, or private entities to coordinate prescribed fires on federal land.
Interior and USDA must expand employment opportunities for prescribed fire practitioners, including by expanding hazard pay, supporting underrepresented groups, and establishing additional training centers.
To address the public health and safety risk of the expanded use of prescribed fire, the Environmental Protection Agency must coordinate with state, tribal, and local air quality agencies to support the environmental review of wildland fires.
Cosponsors (5)
- Ted Budd (R-NC)
- John Curtis (R-UT)
- Alex Padilla (D-CA)
- Rick Scott (R-FL)
- Christopher Coons (D-DE)
Subjects
- Air quality
- Civil actions and liability
- Congressional oversight
- Employee hiring
- Employment and training programs
- Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
- Environmental health
- Fires
- First responders and emergency personnel
- Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
- Government studies and investigations
- Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
- Intergovernmental relations
- Minority employment
- Temporary and part-time employment
- Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
- Women's employment
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.