Wildfire Emergency Act of 2025

The Wildfire Emergency Act of 2025 has passed committee review and is eligible for a Senate floor vote. If enacted, this bill would establish several programs to address wildfire risks and forest health. The Forest Service would launch a 10-year pilot program using conservation finance projects to restore National Forest lands, partnering with private investors to cover upfront costs. The Department of Energy would create programs to improve energy resilience at critical facilities like hospitals during extreme weather events, and would expand weatherization assistance to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and fire-resistant.

The bill would also direct the Forest Service and Department of the Interior to improve wildfire detection and monitoring capabilities. It would establish training centers in western states to develop the workforce in forestry and fire management, and would create grant programs to support community land stewardship activities and workforce development in these fields. These provisions aim to strengthen forest management, reduce wildfire risk, and help communities prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.