To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 178
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-08: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-429, Part I.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T05:06:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, H.R. 178, aims to mandate aggressive wildfire suppression on certain high-risk areas within National Forest System lands managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It seeks to prioritize rapid extinguishment of wildfires to protect lives, property, and resources, particularly in drought-prone or high-exposure zones.
Key Provisions
- Scope of Application: The requirements apply to "covered National Forest System lands," defined as areas within national forests that meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Rated as severe (D2), extreme (D3), or exceptional (D4) drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor (a weekly map tracking drought conditions across the U.S.).
- Declared at National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level 5 by the National Interagency Fire Center (the highest level, indicating nationwide resource strain during fire season).
- Identified by the Forest Service as being in the top 10% of wildfire exposure risk, based on the agency's most recent fireshed models (firesheds are geographic areas assessed for wildfire potential affecting communities and ecosystems).
- Mandatory Suppression Actions: The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service, must:
- Use all available resources to extinguish detected wildfires within 24 hours.
- Immediately suppress any prescribed fire (a controlled burn planned for land management) that exceeds its approved parameters.
- Coordination and Restrictions:
- The Forest Service cannot hinder state or local firefighting agencies authorized to respond on these lands.
- Fire can only be used as a land management tool through prescribed burns that follow all relevant laws and regulations.
- Backfires or burnouts (controlled fires set to stop an advancing wildfire) can only be initiated by the responsible incident commander or if necessary to protect firefighters' health and safety.
- Any such backfire or burnout must be fully controlled and extinguished using all available resources.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill introduces strict timelines and resource commitments for wildfire suppression, which go beyond current Forest Service guidelines that allow for more flexible "initial attack" strategies without a fixed 24-hour extinguishment mandate.
- It limits the use of fire for management purposes in high-risk areas, potentially restricting broader ecological practices like allowing some wildfires to burn for natural benefits (e.g., forest renewal), which have been part of federal land management policies under laws like the National Forest Management Act of 1976.
- No explicit amendments to prior laws are stated, but the mandates could override discretionary elements in existing wildfire response protocols.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The USDA Forest Service would face increased operational demands, requiring allocation of personnel, equipment, and funding to meet the 24-hour suppression goal, potentially straining budgets during peak fire seasons. This could necessitate additional congressional appropriations for firefighting resources.
- On Citizens: Residents and communities near national forests in high-risk areas may benefit from faster wildfire control, reducing threats to homes, health (from smoke), and local economies dependent on tourism or timber. However, it might limit long-term forest health improvements from controlled burns.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic federal lands.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily the USDA Forest Service, which must implement the suppression requirements.
- State and Local Governments: Firefighting agencies that collaborate on national forest responses, gaining assurances that their efforts won't be impeded.
- Communities and Citizens: People living in or near covered national forest areas, especially in the western U.S. where wildfires are frequent, who could see enhanced protection.
- Environmental and Industry Groups: Conservation organizations may oppose restrictions on prescribed fires, while timber, recreation, and insurance industries could support reduced wildfire risks.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill imposes enforceable duties on the Forest Service, potentially leading to lawsuits if suppression goals are unmet due to resource shortages; it aligns with the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3), which grants Congress authority over federal lands.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges anticipated, but it could raise questions about balancing federal mandates with state sovereignty in firefighting coordination.
- Political: As an introduced bill referred to the Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources, it reflects bipartisan concerns over escalating wildfires amid climate change, but may spark debates on funding priorities versus environmental stewardship. If enacted, it could set a precedent for more prescriptive federal responses to natural disasters.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-08: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-429, Part I.
- 2026-01-08: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-429, Part I.
- 2025-07-23: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2025-07-23: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-02-07: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (3 pages)