Bill Would Overhaul Federal Wildfire Response

As we move into the heart of wildfire season, members of the House introduced legislation to improve the federal response to wildfires, including making improvements to working conditions for federal firefighters.

The Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act (H.R. 8656) was introduced by Representatives Josh Harder (D-CA), Scott Franklin (R-FL), and Joe Neguse (D-CO).

The bill largely implements recommendations from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission’s 2023 report on ways to end the wildfire crisis.

“We no longer have a wildfire season in California – it’s a year-round crisis. We cannot wait another day to tackle this threat,” said Rep. Harder. “Alongside our bipartisan partners, we’ve put together a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive bill to finally fight this crisis head-on. Our families and our communities are counting on us to get this bill passed.” 

The bill calls for improvements in several areas: workforce development, improved support for federal firefighters, public health, and mitigation technology.

Workforce Development

Boosting the workforce is a major component.

The legislation creates a new Middle Fire Leaders Academy to quickly train and certify “wildfire and beneficial fire leaders.” It also creates a grant program to award grants to institutions who conduct wildland firefighting training.

On retention, the bill extends wildland firefighters’ break in service provision to two years, making it easier for firefighters to maintain eligibility for retirement benefits. It also authorizes the Interior Department to develop a Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program to help families of federal firefighters who are killed or injured on the job.

It hopes to improve fire response time by developing risk maps with the latest technology.

And it would establish a nationwide real-time air quality monitoring and alert system to protect the public from dangerous wildfire smoke.

“This comprehensive package will invest in new wildfire mitigation technologies and ensure permanent solutions to current and future workforce challenges,” said Rep. Franklin.

Support from Labor Groups

The legislation was applauded by federal labor groups, including the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE).

“This legislation is a comprehensive and sensible approach to how the federal government should respond to the evolving wildfire crisis,” said NFFE National President Randy Erwin, who called for quick passage.

Erwin also called for passage of the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act, which would codify a special pay schedule for federal wildland firefighters. A temporary pay raise was authorized under the infrastructure law.