WASHINGTON, DC – Bigger. Hotter. More destructive. That’s how officials are describing wildland fires across the country.
“The effects of a changing climate are all around us,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Americans, especially those in rural communities in the West, are experiencing a growing number of bigger, hotter, and more destructive wildfires that threaten people, livelihoods, and our natural resources.”
To better manage the increasing risk, a commission involving three federal agencies has been formed. The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, made up of USDA, Department of the Interior and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is tasked with recommending federal policies and strategies to more effectively prevent, mitigate, suppress and manage wildland fires, including the rehabilitation of land affected from wildland fires.
Establishing the Commission fulfills a key provision of the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It calls for a dramatic increase in the scale and pace of wildfire mitigation, restoration, and post-fire recovery work.
It will include representation from federal, state, Tribal, county and municipal governments as well as non-governmental stakeholders from private industry. Through a coordinated effort, the Commission will deliver a report to Congress with practical policy recommendations one year from the first meeting. In addition, the Commission will outline a strategy to cost effectively meet aerial firefighting equipment needs through 2030.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act invests unprecedented funding in America’s natural infrastructure. The joint Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission will support the implementation of effective wildfire risk reduction, community risk reduction, and resilience strategies to combat the wildfire crisis, recovering and protecting our nation’s forests, landscapes and surrounding communities.
“Climate change and increasing development in the wildland urban interface are rapidly changing the complexity and response challenges for the fire service. It is time for us all to recognize that wildland fire is not just a forest or rural problem any longer,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore Merrell. “Urban and suburban fire departments that had no part in wildland firefighting 30 years ago are now heavily engaged in wildland fire prevention, mitigation, and response.”
According to Mike Zupko, Executive Director of th Wildland Fire Leadership Council, the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission will advance the collective ability to combat the nation’s wildfire crisis. “Success can only be accomplished through dedicated partnerships and collaboration. This commission will accelerate the implementation of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy.”
