A bipartisan Senate bill, the Fix Our Forests Act, aims to transform U.S. forest management practices and is progressing through Congress. Introduced in April and co-sponsored by Sen. Tim Sheehy and others from California, Utah, and Colorado, the bill proposes significant changes to improve forest health. Promoting prescribed burns and enhancing the state-federal Good Neighbor Authority program are key aspects of the legislation.
The Fix Our Forests Act seeks to increase collaboration among fire agencies and enhance reforestation efforts post-fire. It includes rule changes impacting high fire danger areas, influencing project management in these zones. Tim Sheehy stated, “Better stewardship of our forests is not a partisan issue; it’s an imperative to securing a stronger economy, healthier forests, and safer communities.”
Governors from four states, including Montana’s Gov. Greg Gianforte, endorsed the bill in late October. Despite no new funds, the bill has support from groups like the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Some concerns arise about the bill’s effect on forest project processes, particularly within the “emergency fireshed management” areas, limiting project alternatives to “action” or “no action.”
Riva Duncan of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters noted that despite interest in prescribed burns, action remains limited. In 2025, hazardous fuels reduction fell by 38% compared to previous years, according to Forest Service data. Federal cuts and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) actions have hampered mitigation projects, affecting positions crucial for fire mitigation work.
Duncan criticized policies that discouraged fire use, leading to overgrowth and climate challenges. U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz emphasized the need for more logging, stating forests suffer from lack of it. However, Duncan argued that logging alone isn’t a comprehensive solution. Grassroots Wildland Firefighters submitted comments on the bill, stressing the need for broader fuel management strategies.
Duncan highlighted the non-partisan nature of fire, advocating for collaborative solutions. “Fire doesn’t recognize boundaries or if it’s private or federal land,” she said. “We need a comprehensive solution with everybody at the table who has a stake, and everybody has a stake.”
