U.S. Senators Ted Budd and Ron Wyden, along with U.S. Representatives Kim Schrier and David Valadao, have introduced the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation aims to support prescribed burns as a strategy to prevent wildfires and mitigate their harmful impacts.
The proposed bill focuses on hazardous fuels management by increasing prescribed burns during cooler months to reduce wildfire risks. It also seeks to expand the workforce skilled in conducting these controlled fires and provides tools for better smoke management.
Senator Budd highlighted the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, where debris poses a significant wildfire risk. “By enabling the Forest Service to better conduct controlled burns of unchecked vegetation and scattered debris, we can protect our forests from catastrophic wildfires,” he said.
Senator Wyden pointed out the challenges posed by rising temperatures and droughts that lead to more frequent wildfires. He emphasized the need for preventive measures rather than reactive ones: “We can no longer wait for disaster to strike before we address these fires destroying our neighborhoods.”
Representative Schrier stressed the urgency in Washington State, where wildfires are an annual occurrence: “My bill… expands the use of prescribed fire to lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires.” Similarly, Representative Valadao spoke about California’s experiences with wildfires and supported controlled burns as a means to reduce future threats.
In 2024, 8.9 million acres were burned by wildfires across the country—a record high exacerbated by hot and dry conditions. The bill responds to such statistics by addressing fuel backlogs that increase fire risks.
Hurricane Helene has left North Carolina with over 822,000 acres of downed timber and debris—conditions ripe for potential fires if not managed effectively. The state has already seen over 4,000 wildfires this year alone.
