The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 would direct federal agencies to expand prescribed fires on federal land, with a focus on some national forests in the West and Southeast. It sets a goal of increasing the acreage treated by 10% each year for 10 years. The bill would also support cultural burning by Tribes and Indigenous practitioners, create a program to fund collaborative projects, and establish training, outreach, smoke-management, and reporting requirements.
Federal agencies could work with Tribes, states, local governments, nonprofits, and private entities to plan or conduct prescribed fires. The bill would support training and public information about fire and smoke. It does not guarantee that any particular community or landowner would take part or receive assistance.
The bill does not provide a total cost estimate. It would allow agencies to use up to 15% of certain existing hazardous-fuels and fire-management funds for listed activities. The collaborative project program would have a yearly funding cap of $20 million, with no more than $1 million for one project in a year. Agencies could use up to $10 million per year from the specified funds for that program during fiscal years 2025 through 2034. The bill also calls for annual requests for funds to repay the Treasury for certain claims, but gives no dollar estimate.
The bill text does not provide statements from proponents. Its stated purpose is to expand prescribed fire and support cultural burning. No publicly available information.
The bill text does not identify opponents or state objections. No publicly available information.