Bill · S. 91· Senate(119-S-91)
Western Wildfire Support Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/14/2025
- Last activity
- 9/17/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 629.
- Sponsored by
- Catherine Cortez Masto
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill aims to improve Federal activities relating to wildfires and post-fire recovery support. It requires better reporting and transparency for firefighting accounts and catastrophic wildfires. The legislation directs the Department of Defense to seek reciprocal agreements to reimburse State agencies for firefighting services caused by military training. It requires the review of spatial fire management policies and various studies on integrating local firefighters, drones, and modern response technologies. Additionally, the bill supports wildfire detection equipment, slip-on tanker units for local governments and Indian Tribes, and post-fire emergency response teams.
Yes· 3 of 26
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Rural and forest-adjacent residents directly benefit from comprehensive wildfire preparation, detection, and recovery support.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+7
The bill significantly expands FEMA post-disaster guidance funding and establishes permanent Burned Area Emergency Response teams.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+7
It mandates strategic wildland fire management planning, modernizes detection equipment, and sets up long-term rehabilitation accounts for federal and adjacent lands.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill authorizes new spending and accounts for wildfire preparedness, research, and post-fire recovery.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The legislation authorizes new federal appropriations, including up to $100 million annually for the Long-Term Burned Area Rehabilitation account.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Transparency in Wildfires: Section 101 amends reporting requirements to provide detailed cost breakdowns of catastrophic wildfires, holding agencies accountable for how firefighting funds are spent.
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Military Reimbursement: Section 102 requires the Department of Defense to reimburse State agencies for fire suppression services when fires are caused by military training, protecting local budgets.
-
Equipment Support: Section 202 expands financial assistance for acquiring firefighting slip-on tanker units to include Indian Tribes alongside local governments, helping communities respond to fires more effectively.
-
Post-Disaster Recovery Guides: Section 301 allows FEMA to provide funding or technical assistance to State agencies to operate websites providing post-wildfire recovery funding, resources, and technical guides for impacted individuals and communities.
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Emergency Stabilization: Section 302 establishes permanent Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams to coordinate immediate post-fire emergency response, remove hazardous materials, and conduct erosion prevention work to ensure public safety.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no explicit negative impacts or burdens identified for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+7Improves Public Land Management+7Improves Environmental Protections+6Improves Rural Development+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+4Improves Roads And Bridges+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Native Americans+5Good For Farmers+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Children+1Good For High Income Households+1Good For Middle Aged+1Good For Retirees+1Good For Seniors+1Good For Urban Residents+1Good For Young Adults+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increase States Rights+2Increases Federal Power+1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-1
- 9/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 629.
- 2/4/2026
- 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.
- 1/14/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana