09/11/26
In correspondence with the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Western Governors expressed their encouragement about the recent introduction of S. 5045, the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026, and their support for H.R. 6387, the Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events Act (FIRE Act), which passed the House in April 2026, both of which would give states the flexibility to use prescribed fire as a proven tool for wildfire mitigation.
“Expanding the deployment of prescribed fire reinforces the resilience of western landscapes and wildlife habitats, ultimately supporting healthier ecosystems, cleaner air, and safer communities across the West,” the letter read. “In recent years, Western Governors have developed and advocated for a range of policy recommendations to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration via broader deployment of prescribed fire… Both S. 5045 and H.R. 6387 align with these resolutions by streamlining the exceptional events process of the Clean Air Act, minimizing its regulatory burden and promoting the safe use of prescribed fire.”