President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) aimed at mitigating the devastating impacts of wildfires and ensuring that firefighters have the necessary resources and tools to respond quickly and effectively. The order seeks to modernize the nation’s wildfire strategy by streamlining federal programs, promoting state and local partnerships, and cutting through regulatory red tape.
“Wildfires threaten every region, yet many local government entities continue to disregard commonsense preventative measures,” the order states. ”Firefighters across the country are forced to rely on outdated technology and face challenges in quickly responding to wildfires because of unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy.”
The EO directs the secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to consolidate federal wildland fire programs to improve coordination. Federal agencies are instructed to revise or eliminate outdated regulations that hinder the use of prescribed burns and other mitigation strategies.
The secretary of Agriculture and the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the secretary of the Interior, will evaluate whether to modify or eliminate rules that limit the use of fire retardants. The USDA will also explore ways to support the use of woody biomass and forest products to help reduce fuel loads in fire-prone areas. Multiple federal agencies will consider rulemaking to reduce wildfire ignition risks associated with the power grid, employing strategies such as vegetation management and enhanced operational practices.
To harness innovation, the order calls for the use of artificial intelligence, improved weather forecasting and real-time data mapping to identify fire threats more quickly and effectively. It also directs the declassification of historical satellite data to enhance predictive capabilities and calls on the Department of Defense to prioritize the sale of excess aircraft and parts for firefighting use.
The EO also intends to provide state and local leaders with support for preparedness, prevention and response efforts at the community level.
The order comes as the National Interagency Fire Center’s latest outlook forecasts hotter and drier conditions across much of the West, Midwest and southern Plains through September. Significant fire potential is expected to be above normal in June for the Southwest, southern Great Basin, inland Northwest, Idaho Panhandle, parts of California, western Nevada and the upper Midwest. By July and August, above-normal fire potential is projected to expand across most of California, the Northwest, northern Rockies, northern Great Basin and southern Plains. In September, fire potential is expected to ease in the southern Plains and northern Minnesota, but remain elevated in California and much of the Northwest.
The EO gives federal agencies 90 days to consolidate their programs and expand partnerships and agreements that support federal, state, local, Tribal and community land management to reduce wildfire risk and improve response.
Reactions
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins praised the executive order, saying, “American farmland, forests, and communities have suffered the devastating consequences of slow and inadequate fire response caused by reckless mismanagement and lack of preparedness.”
Rollins said the Trump administration is taking decisive action to reduce wildfire risk and protect communities, pointing to the strength and readiness of the nation’s wildland firefighting force. Rollins affirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring no community is left vulnerable to wildfire threats.
The Public Lands Council (PLC) expressed appreciation to the Trump administration for taking steps to streamline the federal government’s wildfire prevention and response strategy. With wildfire season underway, PLC emphasized the importance of timely and effective federal action to safeguard rural communities across the West.
“Western communities have faced years of devastation from catastrophic wildfires, and we need every tool available to protect our nation’s scenic rangelands from burning,” said PLC President Tim Canterbury. He noted that while there is no one-size-fits-all solution, strategies such as livestock grazing to reduce fine fuels, increased active land management and improved federal coordination are key to preventing further loss of life and property.
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Edward Kelly, who attended the Oval Office ceremony with Trump, emphasized the vital role firefighters play in responding to wildfires and the urgent need to improve coordination among local, state and federal agencies. He stressed that the health and safety of firefighters must be central to implementing the executive order.
“No one knows better than our IAFF members the toll these fires are having across the country,” Kelly said. “We must ensure firefighters have the resources, training, and coordination needed to safely combat wildfires and protect their communities.” He added that the IAFF will utilize every available tool to collaborate with the administration during the rollout of this policy. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
