Biden Pledges $468M for Nationwide Wildfire Resilience

Today, the Department of the Interior announced that it has provided more than $468 million in fiscal year 2023 from President Biden's Investing in America agenda to reduce wildfire risk, mitigate impacts and rehabilitate burned areas across the country. The influx of funding has allowed the Department to accomplish fuels management projects on over 2.5 million acres of land in fiscal year 2023, a 30 percent increase over fiscal year 2022.

"As wildfire seasons become longer, more intense and more dangerous, investments from President Biden's Investing in America agenda are helping provide for a more strategic approach to wildland fire management and mitigation, greater support of wildland firefighters, and much-needed equipment and preparedness methods," said Secretary Deb Haaland.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is bringing much-needed support to communities across the country to increase the resilience of lands facing the threat of wildland fires and to better support federal wildland firefighters. The law includes $1.5 billion for the Department over five years to invest in preparedness, fuels management, post-fire restoration, and fire science.

A portion of this year's wildfire resilience funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and Coastal Program to increase partnerships with private landowners. Projects -- customized to meet landowners' needs -- are expected to reduce unwanted vegetation on approximately 94,000 acres and along 144 linear miles of critical energy infrastructure while also supporting fish and wildlife habitat improvements and the protection of endangered species. Participating landowners will continue to own and manage their land while they reduce wildfire risk and improve conditions for wildlife. The law also provides increased support to the Joint Fire Science Program, an interagency partnership with the USDA Forest Service that funds wildfire science research projects. 

Breakdown of acres of land treated and fuels management investments by state:

*The cost per acre varies based on location, complexity and equipment needs

The Department's Five-year Monitoring, Maintenance, and Treatment Plan to address wildfire risk laid out a road map in coordination with federal, state, Tribal, local and other partners. In combination with the USDA Forest Service's 10-Year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, these plans outline the monitoring, maintenance, and treatment strategy the agencies will use to address wildfire risk, better serve communities, and improve conditions on all types of lands where wildfires can occur. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides for major reforms for federal wildland firefighters, including a temporary pay raise, new mental wellness and health program and new job series for federal firefighters. The Biden-Harris administration is also working closely with congressional leaders to secure a long-term solution for wildland firefighter pay.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, charged with making recommendations to improve federal policies related to the mitigation, suppression, and management of wildland fires in the United States. The Commission released its first report in February 2023, which examined aerial firefighting equipment needs and outlined a strategy to set aviation management on a new trajectory for the next decade and beyond. In September, the Commission released a comprehensive report outlining 148 recommendations to change the nation's relationship with wildfire.