Two senators have proposed legislation to reorganize the federal government’s response to wildfire, just as the Trump administration’s moves to slash spending are upending land management agencies.
Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced the “Fit for Purpose Wildfire Readiness Act,” which would combine the Forest Service and Interior Department’s efforts under a National Wildland Firefighting Service.
The new agency would be part of Interior, and the lawmakers said its creation would clarify and streamline responsibilities that are now divided. Wildfire suppression has grown to more than half of the Forest Service’s annual budget, which totaled $9.3 billion in fiscal 2024.
Although the concept of a combined fire agency has been debated for years, the lawmakers raise it as a number of issues confront wildfire crews, including worries that the Trump administration’s makeover of the government is inflicting collateral — if unintended — damage on wildfire capacity.
