OPINION:
Now that Congress is back in business, it should prioritize long-overdue legislation to help protect Americans against the further devastation of wildfires. Fortunately, there is broadly supported bipartisan legislation, the Fix Our Forests Act, ready for approval.
Our country’s current approach to wildfire prevention is not meeting the moment. Instead of the patchwork of systems in place, we need to approach this issue in a comprehensive and holistic way.
The Fix Our Forests Act would increase collaboration among federal, state and local partners, reform federal land management policies and encourage the use of new technologies to prevent and suppress wildfires. Through establishing the Wildfire Intelligence Center, federal agencies would have access to real-time data that would better inform first responders and agencies. Stakeholders would also have the authority to more actively manage power lines and hazardous trees in surrounding areas, which would help prevent wildfires from starting and spreading quickly.
Proponents of the legislation recognize that the nation is facing harsh new realities about wildfires. First, the scope and scale of the problem is increasing: Nearly 60,000 wildfires have been recorded in the U.S. so far in 2025, a pace well ahead of the 10-year average.
Americans are ultimately paying the price for this worsening crisis. Wildfires are estimated to cost the U.S. economy as much as $890 billion annually in capital, property, insurance and liability expenses. Severe weather events are increasing the risks.
Although each state faces unique challenges when it comes to wildfires, all states need access to comprehensive resources to protect themselves from the threat of wildfires. A coordinated, national response to wildfire prevention would do just that. The Fix Our Forests Act is a key building block of this effective national plan for wildfire.
Although we can’t fix this problem overnight, enacting legislation like this bill can significantly reduce the risk of wildfires and protect communities.
The House has approved its version of the Fix Our Forests Act, but the work is not done. The Senate still needs to put this bill up for vote, and lawmakers must use the time they have left this year to protect their constituents from the threat of wildfires by passing this bill.
CHET WADE
Communications director, Partners in Wildfire Prevention
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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