Plan To Modernize Federal Wildfire Response Announced

The Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture announced the coordinated action to create the U.S. Wildland Fire Service to modernize wildfire management nationwide.

Fire seasons are longer, fire intensity is increasing, and suppression and recovery costs are soaring. Wildfires pose risks to national security, public health, energy and water supplies.

"Time and time again, we have witnessed the devastating consequences of wildfires caused by mismanagement and a lack of preparedness,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.

The Department of the Interior issued Secretary’s Order 3443, which directs the establishment of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service with a plan for implementation in January 2026.

The priorities, include:

Address systemic inefficiencies and modernize aviation and coordination systems
- Create a joint federal firefighting aircraft service
- Consolidate predictive services into a national intelligence capability

Strengthen interagency wildfire coordination and response
- Modernize and right-size qualifications and training
- Standardize the Emergency Firefighter Program

Improve federal partnerships and reduce administrative burden
- Streamline cooperative agreements
- Establish a joint contracting, procurement and payment center

Ensure wildfire research, technology, and IT investments are mission-ready
- Build a modern, cohesive Wildfire Enterprise IT System
- Modernize personal protective equipment standards to better safeguard firefighters

Integrate pre- and post-fire activities into a complete wildfire strategy
- Deploy a unified wildfire risk mapping tool
- Establish a consistent Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation framework
- Expand beneficial use of biomass and residual forest products

Learn more by visiting the Department of the Interior's Website.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com