Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025

A bill to address the forest health crisis on the National Forest System and public lands, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] Introduced January 16, 2025 Cosponsors 5 (5 R) Latest action June 10, 2026

Summary

This bill establishes forest management requirements for federal lands, particularly with respect to reducing wildfires. 
For example, the bill establishes annual goals to increase (1) the number of acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land that are mechanically thinned (i.e., a management process related to the removal of trees and vegetation); and (2) the number of acres of Forest Service and BLM land treated by prescribed fire. By FY2029, the goals must be to increase the number of acres of each by at least 40% compared to the average number of acres of each in FY2019-FY2023.
The bill also directs the Forest Service and the BLM to (1) implement standardized procedures for tracking data relating to hazardous fuels reduction activities they carry out, and (2) develop a strategy to identify opportunities to use livestock grazing as a wildfire risk reduction tool on federal land. Additionally, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior must establish a deployment and test bed pilot program for wildfire prevention, detection, communication, and mitigation technologies.
The bill mandates use of existing authorities for expedited environmental review for certain forest land at high risk from wildfire, insects, or disease.
Finally, the bill provides local governments and Indian tribes the right to intervene in lawsuits concerning certain projects on federal land that (1) reduce risks posed by wildfire, insects, or disease; or (2) generate revenue from harvesting timber.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Jun 10, 2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  2. Dec 2, 2025 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
  3. Jan 16, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S228-231)
  4. Jan 16, 2025 Introduced in Senate

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