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HR 178

Baker, Antonio Cornelius; condolences

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Imani Barnes and 4 co-sponsors

HR 178 mandates swift wildfire suppression on National Forest lands within 24 hours, enhancing safety and resource protection while coordinating with local firefighting agencies.

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Bill Summary · HR 178

Summary of HR 178: Wildfire Suppression Act

Bill Number: HR 178
Title: To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes.
Status: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Introduced: January 03, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of HR 178 is to enhance the federal government's capacity to suppress wildfires on National Forest System lands. The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service, to take immediate and effective action to extinguish wildfires, thereby aiming to protect both natural resources and public safety.

Key Provisions

HR 178 includes several critical provisions regarding wildfire management:

  1. Wildfire Suppression Requirements:

    • The Secretary of Agriculture must use all available resources to extinguish wildfires detected on covered National Forest System lands within 24 hours of detection.
    • Immediate suppression of any prescribed fire that exceeds its intended parameters is required.

  2. Coordination with Local Agencies:

    • The bill explicitly prohibits any actions that would inhibit the suppression efforts of state or local firefighting agencies authorized to respond to wildfires on these lands.

  3. Use of Fire as a Management Tool:

    • Fire can only be used as a resource management tool if it is a prescribed fire that complies with existing laws and regulations.
    • Backfires or burnouts during a wildfire can only be initiated by the responsible incident commander or when necessary for the safety of firefighting personnel.

  4. Control of Backfires and Burnouts:

    • The Secretary must utilize all available resources to control any initiated backfire or burnout until it is fully extinguished.

  5. Definition of Covered Lands:

    • The bill defines "covered National Forest System lands" as areas that meet specific drought and fire risk criteria, including:
      • Areas rated as D2 (severe drought), D3 (extreme drought), or D4 (exceptional drought) by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
      • Areas declared by the National Interagency Fire Center as having a National Wildland Fire Preparedness level of 5.
      • Areas identified by the Forest Service as being in the top 10 percent of wildfire exposure risk.

Affected Parties

The bill primarily affects:
- The U.S. Forest Service, which will be responsible for implementing the wildfire suppression measures.
- State and local firefighting agencies, which will continue to operate in coordination with federal efforts.
- Communities and ecosystems located within or adjacent to National Forest System lands, which may benefit from improved wildfire management and reduced risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Legislative Timeline

  • January 03, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural Resources.
  • February 07, 2025: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
  • July 23, 2025: Ordered to be reported (amended) by voice vote after a committee consideration and mark-up session.

Conclusion

HR 178 aims to strengthen wildfire suppression efforts on National Forest System lands by establishing clear responsibilities for the Secretary of Agriculture and ensuring coordination with local firefighting agencies. By addressing the increasing threat of wildfires, the bill seeks to protect both natural resources and public safety in vulnerable areas.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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