Bill Overview
Title: To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill sets out requirements for wildfire suppression and management activities carried out by the Forest Service. Within 24 hours of detecting a wildfire on Forest Service land, the service must use (to the maximum extent practicable) all available resources to extinguish the wildfire. Additionally, the service may not inhibit the firefighting activities of state and local agencies that are authorized to respond to wildfires on Forest Service land. Further, the service may not initiate a backfire or burnout as part of a fire suppression strategy unless ordered by the responsible incident commander and must control any initiated fire until it is extinguished. An individual who is harmed by an improperly initiated or controlled backfire or burnout may sue the United States. The bill also limits the service's use of prescribed fires (i.e., the controlled application of fire by a team of experts under specified weather conditions to restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire). The service must comply with all applicable laws and regulations concerning prescribed fires and must immediately suppress (to the maximum extent practicable) a prescribed fire that exceeds its prescription.
Sponsors: Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4]
Target Audience
Population: People living in or near forested areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The United States Forest Service manages approximately 193 million acres of public land, which is susceptible to wildfires.
- The impact of wildfires can affect communities living near forests, ecosystem biodiversity, air quality, and the economic activities related to forest areas such as tourism and forestry.
- Individuals living in or near forested areas, especially in the western United States, are directly impacted by wildfire suppression activities.
- State and local firefighting agencies will be affected as this bill outlines their roles and collaboration with the Forest Service.
- During 2021, wildfires in the United States burned over 7.1 million acres, impacting communities across multiple states.
Reasoning
- The United States Forest Service manages approximately 193 million acres of public land, which is susceptible to wildfires, affecting communities living near forests, ecosystem biodiversity, air quality, and economic activities such as tourism and forestry.
- Wildfires impact communities directly, particularly those in wildland-urban interface zones, making suppression strategies important.
- Cost is a significant factor, as immediate, expansive suppression may require substantial resources, impacting the budget over time.
- The perspectives gathered must include those directly affected by wildfire risks, those involved in firefighting, and those concerned with ecological impacts.
Simulated Interviews
Forest ecologist (California)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned that limiting prescribed burns could negatively impact ecosystem health.
- Worries that legal liabilities from backfire could deter necessary fire management actions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Firefighter (Oregon)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supports stronger coordination between state and federal agencies for firefighting.
- Concerns regarding bureaucratic delays in initiating firefighting on federal lands.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired (Colorado)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hopeful that immediate suppression will reduce wildfire damage risk.
- Concerned about long-term impact of forest health policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Tourism business owner (Washington)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Believes quicker suppression could limit economic losses from tourist deterrence.
- Cautious optimism about policy but acknowledges potential for unpredicted complexities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Local government official (Montana)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Appreciates policies that enhance local and federal collaboration.
- Worried about legal challenges hampering swift action in emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Wildlife conservationist (Arizona)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Worried that aggressive suppression may harm natural fire cycles crucial for habitat regeneration.
- Supports policy if ecological considerations are balanced.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Forester (Idaho)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Positive about policy but concerned about restrictions on prescribed burns leading to increased long-term risks.
- Hopes that more resources will lead to better coordinated responses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Environmental activist (California)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned that policy may prioritize immediate suppression over sustainable management.
- Fears negative impacts on forest health and biodiversity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired firefighter (Nevada)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Believes in the importance of rapid wildland response but is concerned about the backfire control issues.
- Supports parts of the policy that ensure local agencies aren't hindered.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Rancher (New Mexico)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Optimistic about policy reducing threat to her land and livestock.
- If policy affects prescribed burns negatively, could face increased fuel loads over time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $205000000 (Low: $155000000, High: $310000000)
Year 3: $210000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $320000000)
Year 5: $220000000 (Low: $170000000, High: $340000000)
Year 10: $250000000 (Low: $180000000, High: $370000000)
Year 100: $350000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $450000000)
Key Considerations
- The rapid deployment and resource mobilization required within 24 hours could stretch existing resources and necessitate additional funding.
- Coordination with state and local agencies may require establishing new agreements and communication systems.
- Legal implications of allowing lawsuits for damages from controlled burns could present financial risks.
- Balancing immediate suppression with ecological benefits of fire could lead to long-term ecosystem health challenges.