Bill · S. 140· Senate(119-S-140)
Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/16/2025
- Last activity
- 6/10/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored by
- John Barrasso
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025 aims to tackle the forest health crisis on public lands and the National Forest System. It requires officials to set and meet specific annual goals for mechanical thinning and prescribed burns to reduce hazardous fuels. The bill increases transparency through public reporting of acreage treated and the cost of these activities. It also streamlines the removal of hazard trees and vegetation near power lines. Additionally, the act establishes a pilot program for testing new wildfire technologies and encourages the use of livestock grazing to reduce fire risks.
Yes· 3 of 16
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+6
Grants Indian Tribes intervenor status in civil actions and participation in settlement negotiations.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
Improves safety and economic activity in rural forest regions.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+6
Directly aims to reduce wildfire risk and incorporates FEMA into technology testbeds.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
Exempts annual goals and certain hazard tree projects from NEPA requirements, reducing environmental review.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Reduced Wildfire Risk: The bill mandates annual goals for mechanical thinning and prescribed fire that must increase over time, which is intended to reduce hazardous fuels on Federal land (Section 101).
- Improved Public Safety: The creation of a categorical exclusion for "high-priority hazard trees" allows for the faster removal of trees likely to cause injury to people or damage property near roads, trails, and recreation sites (Section 203).
- Increased Accountability: The bill requires the publication of data regarding treated acres and any limitations, such as litigation, that prevent goals from being met, allowing the public to track progress (Section 102).
- Technological Advancement: The establishment of a public-private pilot program focuses on deploying emerging technologies like AI and augmented reality for better wildfire prevention, detection, and communication (Section 302).
- Local and Tribal Inclusion: Local governments and Indian Tribes are granted the right to intervene in civil actions and participate in settlement negotiations for qualified projects that reduce wildfire risk or generate timber revenue (Section 204).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Environmental Review: The establishment of annual goals and regional allotments is specifically exempt from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 101(f)).
- Limited Oversight on Certain Projects: The bill allows for "high-priority hazard tree activities" to be conducted under a categorical exclusion for projects up to 3,000 acres, which streamlines the review process (Section 203(b)).
- Mandatory Use of Streamlined Authorities: Agencies are required to use streamlined authorities for environmental reviews in specific areas, which may limit the depth of standard review processes (Section 301).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+6Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Business Owners+5Good For Farmers+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Union Workers+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+6Improves Public Land Management+5Improves Rural Development+4Improves Environmental Protections-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Increase States Rights+3Increases Federal Power+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2Improves Small Business Support+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- 6/10/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 12/2/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
- 3/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S228-231)
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike CrapoRepublican · Idaho
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
James RischRepublican · Idaho
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana