Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Neguse
In Committee
Summary
Strengthens federal wildfire prevention, detection, and recovery across Federal lands and firesheds. The bill creates new planning, reporting, technology, and rehabilitation authorities to prepare for, detect, fight, and restore areas affected by large wildfires.
Show full summary
- Communities and land managers: Creates a Long-Term Burned Area Rehabilitation account to fund reforestation, watershed repair, invasive species control, and infrastructure repairs. The account can receive up to $100.0 million per year and projects must be completed within five years of wildfire containment.
- Firefighters and responders: Requires fireshed-level strategic fire management plans by September 30, 2026, directs studies on integrating structural and wildland firefighting, and establishes permanent Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Teams to coordinate stabilization and hazard removal for up to 1 year after containment. The Department of Defense must pursue mutual-aid agreements and reimburse states for suppression costs directly attributable to military training fires.
- Technology and suppression: Accelerates deployment of detection sensors, cameras, and satellite resources, funds research and testing of unmanned aircraft systems for wildfire response, studies drone-incursion countermeasures, and extends a slip-on tanker unit program to include Tribes through October 1, 2028.
*Establishes a dedicated rehabilitation account capped at $100.0 million per year beginning in FY2025. The net federal budget impact will depend on future appropriation decisions.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
State recovery websites for survivors
FEMA could fund a State agency to run a recovery website tailored to that State. The site would list federal, state, and local aid and give technical guides, like how to plan for flooding after wildfire. The State must update the site at least every 180 days and work with FEMA, Interior, Agriculture, HUD, and SBA. If enacted, this could help homeowners, renters, and small businesses find money and advice faster after a disaster.
Faster wildfire detection and research
The bill would speed permits and placement of sensors and cameras on federal land. It would expand use of satellites and allow drones to check new fires early. Agencies would review their permitting and buying rules and hold a yearly forum for new fire tech. It would also run research on drone uses for wildfire response, with tests at FAA ranges and funding of such sums as needed. A one-year study would map fixes for radios, real-time tools, and fire prediction models, and share results with Congress and the public.
Fireshed plans and updates by 2026
Agencies would issue or review fireshed fire management policies by September 30, 2026. Policies must be updated after a wildfire and at least every 10 years. They would list risks to responders, communities, and infrastructure and describe severe fire weather. States would help mark control locations and high-risk areas like steep slopes or heavy fuels.
Permanent teams for post-fire hazards
The bill would set up permanent BAER teams within 180 days to handle urgent post-wildfire risks. Teams would survey burn severity, remove hazardous trees and materials, and do emergency erosion control. They would inform the public and generally work for up to 1 year after containment. Agencies may use specified Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds for this work.
Up to $100 million for burn rehab
The bill would create a Treasury account for long-term burned area rehab. It could receive up to $100 million each year, subject to appropriation. Money could pay for replanting, watershed fixes, habitat work, and critical infrastructure repairs. Projects would start after a fire is contained, end within 5 years, and may include a non-federal share up to 20%. Work would be prioritized by impacts on downstream water, with reports to Congress starting in FY2027.
Prize for invasive species solutions
Within 180 days, the bill would start a Theodore Roosevelt prize for tools that manage invasive species after wildfires. An advisory board and judges would run the prize, and awards could be withheld if no entry merits it. After any cash award, the Secretary would report to Congress within 60 days. The prize authority would end on December 31, 2028.
Clearer wildfire spending reports and terms
The bill would require annual reports showing how Wildland Fire Management money was obligated and spent last year. Reports must break out ground, aircraft, personnel, on- and off-incident support, and administrative costs, including fire cap adjustment funds. It would also define key terms like Federal land, fireshed, and which Secretary is responsible. These definitions would guide how the rest of the bill is applied.
Military would repay states for training fires
The Defense Department would seek mutual-aid deals with States to cover fires caused by military training. States could be reimbursed for services directly tied to the fire, with itemized cost requests. Payments would come from DoD operations and maintenance funds. Existing qualifying agreements could continue.
Study on drones disrupting firefighting
The FAA would study how private drones interfere with wildfire fighting on Interior and Agriculture lands. It would count incidents for each of the past 5 years and estimate added time and federal costs. It would review countermeasures like radio towers, reasonable force, nets, and education. A report to Congress would be due within 18 months.
More slip-on tankers for Tribes
The bill would let Indian Tribes, along with local governments, get help to buy slip-on tanker units. The first annual report on this aid would be due by October 1, 2026, and reports would end on October 1, 2028. Agencies would issue mobilization guidance, track units where possible, and work on operator training.
Study training gaps for local firefighters
Homeland Security, through the U.S. Fire Administration and partners, would study training gaps for structural firefighters in high wildfire-risk areas. A report would be due within 1 year. It would cover current coordination, best practices for house fires versus community wildfires, National Fire Academy course gaps, and costs with a spending plan.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Neguse
CO • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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