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HR3889119th CongressWALLET

National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

Introduced

Summary

Expand prescribed fire on federal lands to reduce wildfire risk and restore landscapes. This bill would set mandatory acreage growth targets, create a competitive Collaborative Prescribed Fire Program, and fund workforce, training, and liability measures to scale cross‑boundary burns and support Tribal cultural burning.

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  • Families and communities near wildland‑urban interfaces would see prioritized projects that aim to protect homes, watersheds, and high‑value resources and include smoke management in planning.
  • Workers and hiring pools would get new incentives and pathways, including hazard pay, conversion of eligible seasonal firefighters to permanent roles, training centers, veteran crews, and hiring pathways for qualified formerly incarcerated individuals.
  • Indian Tribes and Indigenous practitioners would get explicit recognition, support for cultural burning, and authorization for Indigenous‑led training centers.
  • Federal land managers and project partners would face a 10% year‑over‑year increase target in prescribed‑fire acreage for nine years and a new competitive project program with caps of $1 million per project and program limits that guide selection, reporting, and cancellation rules.

*Would authorize up to $20 million per year for the prescribed‑fire program, including a collaborative subcap of up to $10 million and per‑project caps of $1 million.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Better pay and jobs for fire workers

If enacted, federal burn crews would get hazard pay for ignition and management work. OPM would write rules to implement it. Seasonal firefighters could be converted to permanent jobs without competition if they meet duty and three-season performance tests. The agencies would create training and job paths for qualified, formerly incarcerated firefighters, excluding arson and defined violent crimes.

More support for non-federal burn partners

Agencies would add qualified non‑Federal burners to resource ordering and reimbursement systems. Practitioners who meet national standards could join statewide agreements. While doing covered work under direct federal supervision, these partners would get Federal Tort Claims Act liability protection. The agencies must issue guidance within one year, seek funds to cover any claims, and offer training on these rules.

More burns and strict planning deadlines

Federal land agencies would need to burn more acres each year. For ten years starting the first year after enactment, treated acres must grow by 10% yearly on Federal land. Within one year, the agencies would identify units with landscape‑scale burn plans. Within two years, they would update or create plans, follow environmental laws, consult Tribes, and report progress to Congress every year.

Grants and flexible funds for burns

This bill would create and fund large, collaborative burn projects. Landscapes must be at least 50,000 acres and avoid permanent roads. The program could spend up to $20 million a year (including up to $10 million in 2025–2034), with $1 million per project per year, and pick up to 20 projects. Projects could last up to 10 years and lose funding after three straight years of missed targets. Agencies could shift up to 15% of certain fire budgets to burns, including grants, training, and monitoring. States could get help to report results, but if a State misses the December 31 report, it would lose eligibility for prior‑year Act funds.

Stronger smoke forecasts and EPA help

Agencies would improve smoke forecasts and tools for the public. EPA would help State and Tribal air agencies build exceptional event cases for prescribed‑fire smoke. EPA would approve cases that meet current rules and smoke‑management practices. For Federal burns, land agencies would help prepare or submit these cases with State or Tribal concurrence.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 6/10/2025

  • Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 8/26/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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