Worsening Wildfires Demand a National Response
Wildfire Awareness Month might be coming to a close, but it is still critical that the focus remains on a coordinated, federal response to wildfires. With wildfire season in full effect and some states already experiencing dangerous wildfires, there’s never been a more pivotal moment for leaders and policymakers to acknowledge the growing threat wildfires pose to the United States, including 115 million Americans living in high-risk areas. Wildfires are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more costly. With more U.S. counties across the country now at high risk for wildfires, we must do more to develop commonsense solutions that keep all communities safe.
Federal action is needed, now more than ever, to protect American communities and businesses from wildfires. Recently, Congress has begun to develop a comprehensive and resilient approach to wildfires with the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act. This legislation is an important first step to expedite and improve the process of preventative work on federal lands and to help manage wildfire risk.
And, while organizations across the technology and energy industries are taking critical steps to help prevent wildfires, a unified voice will help coordinate advocacy efforts for a federal response.
For the first time, public safety, business, labor, wildfire preparedness, and community interest groups are coming together to fill the gap and create this much-needed voice. Partners in Wildfire Prevention’s mission is to ensure that this issue stays top of mind for lawmakers and advocate for legislation that supports a robust federal response to wildfires.
An effective national strategy must be founded on four pillars: prevention, community protection, investment, and rapid recovery. Proactively identifying opportunities for federal funding to expand state and local wildfire prevention will be key to any response. These investments are not only essential to saving lives, but also to preserving local communities, businesses, and economies in every part of the nation.
Moreover, a new federal strategy can help create national standards that ensure Americans have baseline policies in place to help protect them and ensure wildfire victims can quickly get the support they need.
Technology must be integral to a national response that proactively protects homes and communities. Early detection increases the odds of successfully containing wildfires, helping prevent damage and loss. Increased funding for modeling and technology can also inform wildfire data, enhancing natural disaster preparedness.
When wildfires strike, they destroy communities, cause financial hardship, and restrict access to necessities like food, water, and shelter. It is important that Americans can access resources quickly to get back on their feet. Amending the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s authority under the Stafford Act can help ensure families receive support when they need it most.
Increasingly, there is a gap in natural disaster insurance coverage, causing rapidly rising prices in a system not modernized to capture the financial losses that can result from wildfires. The federal government must ensure that individuals and businesses have the means to recover through increased stability in insurance markets.
The first several months of 2025 made all too clear the danger wildfires pose to Americans’ livelihoods. With fire seasons starting earlier and wildfires lasting longer and burning more land, it’s well-past time we developed a national strategy to meaningfully reduce risks and to improve responsiveness. With prudent action, we can save lives, protect communities, and ensure a safer future for all.
Chet Wade serves as the Coalition Communications Director for Partners in Wildfire Prevention, a coalition committed to reducing the adverse effects of wildfires through prevention and preparedness.
