Legislation Looks To Increase Prescribed Burns

A bill to increase prescribed burns in national forests is advancing in Congress.  Oregon Senator Ron Wyden says it's an inexpensive way to reduce the size of wildfires.

"The prescribed fire tool is particularly important, because it's under-used now and it's an incredible opportunity to do the preventive work that we know is so important," Wyden said.

His bill passed the Energy and Natural Resources committee with Republican support, including Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who worked with Wyden on other bills.

"I think this really is the wave of the future and, as I look back, I see my friend from Alaska," Wyden said.  "We dealt with fire borrowing, we dealt with secure rural schools, we dealt with a whole host of measures that we just thought were useful tools."

The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 would increase the number of personnel needed to conduct prescribed burns and would increase funding.  Similar legislation has been introduced on the House side, and is supported by Washington Representative Kim Schrier.

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