National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024

Hozzl · 2024-12-06T16:32:10Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 4424 National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Public Lands and Natural Resources. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/6/2024, 4:32 PM

Summary of Bill S 4424

Bill 118 s 4424, also known as the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to promote the use of prescribed fires as a tool for managing forests and grasslands in order to reduce the risk of wildfires and improve ecosystem health.

The bill establishes a national prescribed fire program within the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. This program will provide funding and support for prescribed fire activities on federal, state, tribal, and private lands. It also directs federal agencies to coordinate with state and local governments, tribes, and other stakeholders to develop prescribed fire plans and prioritize areas for treatment.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for training and certification of prescribed fire practitioners, as well as research and monitoring to improve the science and effectiveness of prescribed fire. It also addresses liability concerns related to prescribed fire activities. Overall, the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024 aims to increase the use of prescribed fire as a proactive and cost-effective tool for reducing wildfire risk and promoting healthy ecosystems. It emphasizes collaboration between federal, state, tribal, and local entities to achieve these goals.

Congressional Summary of S 4424

National Prescribed Fire Act of 2024

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to increase the number and size of prescribed fires conducted on federal lands.

For 10 years, Interior and USDA must annually conduct prescribed fires on federal land so that the total acreage where prescribed fires are conducted is 10% greater than the previous fiscal year.

Interior and USDA must establish a collaborative prescribed fire program to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to conduct prescribed fires in priority landscapes.

Interior and USDA may enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with states, Indian tribes, counties, municipal governments, fire districts, nongovernmental organizations, or private entities to coordinate prescribed fires on federal land.

Interior and USDA must expand employment opportunities for prescribed fire practitioners, including by expanding hazard pay, supporting underrepresented groups, and establishing additional training centers.

To address the public health and safety risk of the expanded use of prescribed fire, the Environmental Protection Agency must coordinate with state, tribal, and local air quality agencies to support the environmental review of wildland fires.

Read the Full Bill

Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Current Status of Bill S 4424

Bill S 4424 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 23, 2024. Bill S 4424 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on May 23, 2024. Bill S 4424's most recent activity was Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 624. as of November 21, 2024

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 4424

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 4424

Primary Policy Focus

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 4424

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage and expand the use of prescribed fire on land managed by the Department of the interior or the Forest Service, with an emphasis on units of the National Forest System in the western United States, to acknowledge and support the longstanding use of cultural burning by Tribes and Indigenous practitioners, and for other purposes.

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage and expand the use of prescribed fire on land managed by the Department of the Interior or the Forest Service, with an emphasis on units of the National Forest System in the western United States, to acknowledge and support the longstanding use of cultural burning by Tribes and Indigenous practitioners, and for other purposes.

Comments

Kylo Kramer

752

1 year ago

I ain't likin' this new fire bill, gonna mess things up for me and my land. It's gonna be a real pain in the butt, mark my words. #notafan #S4424 #prescribedfireact2024 Short term, this bill gonna cause me some headaches for sure.

Madeleine Neal

693

1 year ago

This bill sounds sketchy. Who benefits from it?

Vera Manning

700

1 year ago

I think this bill is good for our forests and wildlife. It will help prevent wildfires and protect our communities. I heard that it also includes provisions for training and education on prescribed burns.