National Prescribed Fire Act: Expanding Controlled Burns for Wildfire Risk Reduction.
This Act aims to significantly increase the use of prescribed fire on federal lands, particularly in the Western and Southeastern US, to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Citizens living near forested areas may experience enhanced safety and potentially better long-term air quality due to fewer large, uncontrolled fires. The legislation establishes new collaborative programs, workforce training, and legal protections for prescribed fire managers, including liability coverage for cooperating non-federal entities.
Key points
Increased Fire Safety: Federal agencies must increase the acreage treated by prescribed fire by 10% annually over the previous year for ten years, aiming to reduce hazardous fuels.
Support for Local Collaboration: A Collaborative Prescribed Fire Program is established to fund large-scale projects involving states, tribes, non-profits, and local businesses, supporting local employment and economies.
Liability Protection: Non-federal entities (cooperators) conducting prescribed fire activities on federal land under federal supervision will be treated as federal employees for liability purposes (Federal Tort Claims Act).
Workforce Development: The Act mandates the creation of career pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals and veterans in prescribed fire management, and provides hazard pay for federal employees involved in these operations.
Environmental Streamlining: The law facilitates coordination with air quality agencies (EPA) to streamline the approval process for prescribed burns, while promoting smoke management practices.
Introduced
Citizen Poll