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Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

12/3/2025, 12:03 PM

Summary of Bill S 91

Bill 119 s 91, also known as the Wildfire Management Act, aims to enhance the federal government's efforts in preventing and managing wildfires. The bill includes provisions to improve coordination between federal agencies, state and local governments, and tribal entities in wildfire response and prevention efforts.

One key aspect of the bill is the establishment of a National Wildfire Coordination Group, which will be responsible for developing and implementing a national strategy for wildfire management. This group will work to improve communication and collaboration among all stakeholders involved in wildfire response.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to increase funding for wildfire research and technology development. This will help to improve the effectiveness of wildfire prediction and response efforts, ultimately reducing the impact of wildfires on communities and ecosystems. Overall, Bill 119 s 91 aims to strengthen the federal government's ability to prevent and manage wildfires, ultimately protecting lives, property, and natural resources.

Congressional Summary of S 91

Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 

This bill addresses wildfires by authorizing post-fire recovery activities, supporting adoption of technology, and requiring additional federal coordination.

The bill authorizes federal wildfire response and recovery activities by

  • providing statutory authority for Burned Area Emergency Response Teams to coordinate emergency stabilization and erosion planning, and
  • establishing an account to fund federal rehabilitation projects in areas impacted by a wildfire (e.g., ecosystem restoration, replacing infrastructure critical for land management).

Additionally, for all hazard types, the bill includes post-disaster assistance in the federal disaster preparedness program and authorizes assistance to states for operating websites to provide information on post-disaster recovery resources.

The bill requires federal agencies to develop and utilize technologies for managing wildfires by

  • expediting the permitting and use of wildfire detection equipment (e.g., sensors, cameras);
  • providing funding to Indian tribes for slip-on tanker units that convert vehicles into fire engines;
  • performing research and development on wildfire response applications of unmanned aircraft systems (e.g., drones);
  • studying radio communications systems, situational awareness tools, and wildland fire predictive modeling; and
  • administering a prize competition for technological innovation for managing wildfire-related invasive species.

The bill directs federal agencies to plan and coordinate on wildfire management by

  • incorporating the best available science and planning tools into spatial fire management policies for federal lands,  
  • collaborating with state agencies for mutual aid in fire suppression (including reimbursing states for suppressing fires caused by military operations), and 
  • studying training gaps for integrating structural (e.g., local) firefighters into wildfire response.

Current Status of Bill S 91

Bill S 91 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 14, 2025. Bill S 91 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on January 14, 2025.  Bill S 91's most recent activity was Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. as of December 2, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 91

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
1
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
1
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 91

Primary Policy Focus

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 91

A bill to improve Federal activities relating to wildfires, and for other purposes.
A bill to improve Federal activities relating to wildfires, and for other purposes.

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