The USDA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) have unveiled a sweeping plan to modernize and streamline the federal government’s wildfire prevention and response systems. The plan aims to help communities, neighbors and partners better prepare for, respond to and recover from destructive wildfires.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued a new memorandum calling for “common-sense reforms that modernize and streamline the federal wildfire system.” At the same time, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued Secretary’s Order 3443 to strengthen federal, state and local partnerships. The order directs the creation of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, with an implementation plan set for January, to elevate and unify wildland fire programs in response to rising risks to people, property, infrastructure and the daily hazards firefighters face.

“Time and time again, we have witnessed the devastating consequences of wildfires caused by mismanagement and a lack of preparedness,” Rollins said. “Under President (Donald) Trump’s leadership, we are taking bold action to modernize wildfire response systems, streamline federal wildfire capabilities, and strengthen their effectiveness.

“We started this work in the spring and have continually updated our policies and programs to properly manage our forests through common-sense timber production and management, protecting our national forests and grasslands for generations to come,” she said.

Reforms, interagency coordination

The USDA memorandum provides a detailed roadmap for overhauling how the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and DOI coordinate wildfire prevention, suppression and recovery. The directive calls for eliminating redundancies by consolidating key administrative functions, applying consistent policy interpretation and ensuring that technology and procurement systems support a modern, interagency workforce.

The USFS, in collaboration with DOI, is directed to identify and revise regulations, guidance and policies to implement these reforms.

Among the most immediate actions are:

  • Modernizing the federal wildland fire aviation program through unified aircraft and pilot inspection, procurement and standards, with an implementation timeline due in 30 days.
  • Restructuring coordination and governance bodies to eliminate redundancy and clarify authority within 120 days.
  • Improving interagency interoperability through standardized qualifications and training with the Department of Homeland Security, Tribes, states and local governments within 180 days.

The memorandum also directs the USFS and DOI to revise the Master Interagency Agreement for Wildland Fire Management within 120 days to ensure consistent policies and delivery across both departments. They must also use “Service First” authorities to establish joint procurement, contracting and payment centers to speed reimbursements to states, Tribes and local governments, with a proposed timeline within 90 days.

Recognizing that partnerships are critical to successful wildfire management, the directive requires a broad formal process to solicit input from state, Tribal and local governments. Within 120 days, USFS is to complete a revision of the Master Cooperative Wildland Fire Management and Stafford Act Response Agreement to simplify structure, streamline billing and expedite new wildfire coordinating agreements.

Science, workforce modernization

Rollins’ memorandum emphasizes aligning science and technology with field operations. Within 60 days, the USFS and DOI will establish a joint governance structure to coordinate wildfire-related research, technology development and information technology (IT) modernization. They must also review research portfolios for duplication and ensure they support operational priorities and firefighter safety.

Further, the agencies are tasked with assessing and updating standards for personal protective equipment to safeguard wildland firefighters, and with designing a unified Wildfire Enterprise IT architecture that supports secure, interoperable data sharing with federal, Tribal, state and academic partners.

A critical part of the new policy is integrating pre- and post-fire activities into a comprehensive wildfire strategy. The memorandum directs the use of a unified wildfire risk mapping tool to plan mitigation and demonstrate risk reduction across federal, Tribal, state, local and private lands. It also requires establishing a five-year emergency stabilization and rehabilitation framework, streamlining permits for bulk power operations, and working with the Environmental Protection Agency to remove regulatory barriers to prescribed fire and fire retardant use.

Implementation of these sweeping reforms will be overseen by the under secretary for natural resources and environment, or, if that position is vacant, by the chief of the USFS and is scheduled to begin by April 1.

By mandating specific timelines and consolidating efforts across federal, state, Tribal and local levels, the USDA and DOI aim to transform how the nation prepares for and responds to wildfires.

“For too long, outdated and fragmented systems have slowed our ability to fight fires and protect lives,” Burgum said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting through the bureaucracy and building a unified, modern wildfire response system that works as fast and as fearlessly as the men and women on the front lines.”