USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins issued a new Secretarial Memorandum and letter on April 29 directing the U.S. Forest Service to heighten national wildfire readiness, increase community-based risk reduction and strengthen firefighter health and safety for the 2026 fire year.
“Proper forest management remains central to this effort—reducing wildfire risk, strengthening rural economies, providing affordable, high‑quality lumber for American homes, and preserving the nation’s landscapes for generations to come,” Rollins wrote.
The USDA said the memo advances President Donald Trump’s directives to streamline federal wildfire prevention and response.
