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Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-91| Senate 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
Catherine Cortez Masto

Catherine Cortez Masto

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (1)
Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to comprehensively improve federal activities related to wildfires, spanning preparation, detection, suppression, and post-fire recovery. In terms of preparation , the bill mandates increased transparency for federal firefighting accounts, requiring detailed annual reports on expenditures, especially for catastrophic wildfires. It also directs the Department of Defense to seek reciprocal agreements with states for reimbursing fire suppression services caused by military training, and requires the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to review and update strategic wildland fire management policies for firesheds, incorporating the latest science and identifying risks. Additionally, it calls for a study by the Department of Homeland Security on integrating local firefighters into wildfire response, focusing on training gaps and coordination practices. For wildfire detection and suppression support , the bill directs the expedited placement of advanced detection equipment like sensors and cameras, and expands the use of satellite data. It promotes research and development of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for wildfire applications and mandates a study on the impact of drone incursions on suppression efforts. Another study will assess modernizing wildfire response technologies, including radio communications, real-time situational awareness tools, and predictive modeling. The Act also expands financial assistance for local governments and Indian Tribes to acquire slip-on tanker units for firefighting, along with guidance for their mobilization and training. Finally, for post-fire recovery support , the bill amends the Stafford Act to allow FEMA to fund state agencies for online guides providing post-disaster assistance information and mitigation strategies. It establishes permanent Burned Area Emergency Response Teams (BAER Teams) for immediate stabilization and hazard removal. A significant provision creates a new Long-Term Burned Area Rehabilitation account for the Department of Agriculture, authorizing up to $100 million annually for ecosystem restoration and infrastructure repair projects. The bill also establishes the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize to incentivize technological innovation for managing wildfire-related invasive species, recognizing their impact on post-fire landscapes.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2404
Western Wildfire Support Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1764
Western Wildfire Support Act of 2024
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 14, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Dec 1, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5782
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Dec 2, 2025
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Feb 4, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2404
    Western Wildfire Support Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1764
    Western Wildfire Support Act of 2024


  • January 14, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 14, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • December 1, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5782
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.


  • December 2, 2025
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.


  • February 4, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5782: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025
Accounting and auditingAdvanced technology and technological innovationsAdvisory bodiesAppropriationsAtmospheric science and weatherAviation and airportsBudget processCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of the InteriorDisaster relief and insuranceEcologyEmergency planning and evacuationExecutive agency funding and structureFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelForests, forestry, treesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsLand use and conservationMilitary education and trainingMilitary operations and strategyMotor vehiclesParks, recreation areas, trailsResearch and developmentSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsTransportation safety and securityWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-91| Senate 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to comprehensively improve federal activities related to wildfires, spanning preparation, detection, suppression, and post-fire recovery. In terms of preparation , the bill mandates increased transparency for federal firefighting accounts, requiring detailed annual reports on expenditures, especially for catastrophic wildfires. It also directs the Department of Defense to seek reciprocal agreements with states for reimbursing fire suppression services caused by military training, and requires the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture to review and update strategic wildland fire management policies for firesheds, incorporating the latest science and identifying risks. Additionally, it calls for a study by the Department of Homeland Security on integrating local firefighters into wildfire response, focusing on training gaps and coordination practices. For wildfire detection and suppression support , the bill directs the expedited placement of advanced detection equipment like sensors and cameras, and expands the use of satellite data. It promotes research and development of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for wildfire applications and mandates a study on the impact of drone incursions on suppression efforts. Another study will assess modernizing wildfire response technologies, including radio communications, real-time situational awareness tools, and predictive modeling. The Act also expands financial assistance for local governments and Indian Tribes to acquire slip-on tanker units for firefighting, along with guidance for their mobilization and training. Finally, for post-fire recovery support , the bill amends the Stafford Act to allow FEMA to fund state agencies for online guides providing post-disaster assistance information and mitigation strategies. It establishes permanent Burned Area Emergency Response Teams (BAER Teams) for immediate stabilization and hazard removal. A significant provision creates a new Long-Term Burned Area Rehabilitation account for the Department of Agriculture, authorizing up to $100 million annually for ecosystem restoration and infrastructure repair projects. The bill also establishes the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize to incentivize technological innovation for managing wildfire-related invasive species, recognizing their impact on post-fire landscapes.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2404
Western Wildfire Support Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1764
Western Wildfire Support Act of 2024
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 14, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Dec 1, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5782
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Dec 2, 2025
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Feb 4, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2404
    Western Wildfire Support Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1764
    Western Wildfire Support Act of 2024


  • January 14, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 14, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • December 1, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5782
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.


  • December 2, 2025
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.


  • February 4, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Catherine Cortez Masto

Catherine Cortez Masto

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (1)
Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5782: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Accounting and auditingAdvanced technology and technological innovationsAdvisory bodiesAppropriationsAtmospheric science and weatherAviation and airportsBudget processCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of the InteriorDisaster relief and insuranceEcologyEmergency planning and evacuationExecutive agency funding and structureFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelForests, forestry, treesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsLand use and conservationMilitary education and trainingMilitary operations and strategyMotor vehiclesParks, recreation areas, trailsResearch and developmentSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsTransportation safety and securityWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats