Senate Unanimously Passes Padilla Bill to Help Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires, Increase Use of Prescribed Fire

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-Calif.) Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act (WEPA) of 2026, a bipartisan bill to make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fire to reduce hazardous fuel and prevent catastrophic wildfires.

Senate Unanimously Passes Padilla Bill to Help Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires, Increase Use of Prescribed Fire

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A growing coalition wants Congress to think about wildfires as a national security challenge

The Managing Director for the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience discussed how supporters of the Fix Our Forests Act are urging Congress to include the measure in the annual defense authorization bill because wildfires can threaten military installations, disrupt training, strain critical infrastructure, and increase demands on the National Guard.

A growing coalition wants Congress to think about wildfires as a national security challenge

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Ending the roadless rule can help fight forest fires and improve wildlife access

As debate rages about rescinding the Roadless Rule, the John and Jean DeNault Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution weighed in on the issue, pointing out that doing so is not a threat to federally-administered wilderness, but rather a statement that society has had enough and that it's time to manage wilderness rather than letting it burn.

Ending the roadless rule can help fight forest fires and improve wildlife access

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The Alliance Of Forest Service Retired Fire Leaders Sends Letter To USDA And DOI To Advocate For A Unified National Wildfire Service.

The Alliance of Forest Service Retired Fire Leaders sent a letter to USDA Secretary Rollins, DOI Secretary Burgum, DHS Secretary Mullin, and OMB Director Vought, as well as the Congressional Chairs of subcommittees that oversee policy and appropriations for the wildfire agencies, calling for the centralizing and restructuring of the U.S. Forest Service fire management program.

The Alliance Of Forest Service Retired Fire Leaders Sends Letter To USDA And DOI To Advocate For A Unified National Wildfire Service.

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Wildfire Risk

Insurance companies are starting to write new policies in California again after years of holding back as wildfire risk climbed higher, but Consumer Watchdog released an estimate of new policy commitments, finding that just 12,189 have been written since January 2025, when the Insurance Commissioner’s sustainable insurance strategy went into effect.

Wildfire Risk

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National preparedness level drops to PL 2 as wildfire activity eases

National Interagency Fire Center officials announced that the national preparedness level dropped to PL 2 Tuesday morning due to a decrease in initial attack and significant wildland fire activity, as 9,701 firefighters and support personnel continued to battle 31 large fires nationwide.

National preparedness level drops to PL 2 as wildfire activity eases

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Senate Committee Advances Respirator Requirements for Federal Wildland Firefighters

Federal wildland firefighters could gain their first federal smoke-exposure limits and dedicated respiratory protection under provisions included in the Healthy Lungs for Heroes Act, which was advanced by the Senate Agriculture Committee as part of the 2026 Farm Bill.

Senate Committee Advances Respirator Requirements for Federal Wildland Firefighters

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