To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes.
12/19/2024, 9:05 AMSummary of Bill HR 934
Bill 118 hr 934, also known as the Wildfire Suppression Act, aims to address the increasing threat of wildfires in the United States by requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to take specific actions to suppress these fires. The bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to wildfire prevention and management.Specifically, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture implement activities to suppress wildfires, which may include the use of firefighting resources, such as personnel, equipment, and technology. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other federal, state, and local agencies in wildfire suppression efforts.
Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for research and development of new technologies and strategies for wildfire prevention and management. This includes funding for research projects aimed at improving wildfire forecasting, detection, and response. Overall, Bill 118 hr 934 seeks to enhance the federal government's ability to effectively respond to wildfires and mitigate their impact on communities and natural resources. By requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to take proactive measures to suppress wildfires and invest in research and development, the bill aims to improve the nation's overall wildfire management capabilities.
Congressional Summary of HR 934
This bill sets out requirements for wildfire suppression and management activities carried out by the Forest Service.
These requirements apply to Forest Service land that (1) has a severe, extreme. or exceptional drought intensity rating; and (2) has a National Wildland Fire Preparedness level of 5 (i.e., the highest level of wildland fire activity) or is located in a fireshed ranked in the top 10% of wildfire exposure.
Within 24 hours of detecting a wildfire on covered Forest Service land, the service must use 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 covered Forest Service land.
Further, the service may not initiate a backfire or burnout as part of a fire suppression strategy unless it is ordered by the responsible incident commander or is necessary to protect the health and safety of firefighting personnel. The service must use all available resources to control any initiated fire until it is extinguished.
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 a prescribed fire that exceeds its prescription.
